To protect seniors from flu, start with the vaccines your parent’s doctor or pharmacist recommends for this season. Then cut down on germs at home with clean hands, wiped surfaces, and sick visitors staying away. Learn the emergency warning signs. If flu symptoms start, call the doctor right away, because antiviral medicine works best when started early.

Flu season usually runs through fall and winter, and CDC says flu activity most often peaks from December to February. COVID-19 and RSV spread in the same months. A flu shot takes about two weeks to start working, so October is a good time to make a plan.

Why is flu harder on people over 65?

Adults 65 and older are more likely than young, healthy adults to have serious flu complications. CDC says this is partly because immune defenses change with age. Most people recover in a few days to less than two weeks. Some develop pneumonia, and flu can make long-term problems like heart disease or asthma worse.

In most seasons, older adults carry the heaviest share of severe flu. In recent years, CDC estimates, 70 to 85 percent of seasonal flu deaths were in people 65 and older. So were 50 to 70 percent of flu hospital stays. More is on CDC’s page on flu and people 65 and older.

CDC also says older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. And it calls RSV a leading cause of death from respiratory illness in people 65 and older.

Which vaccines does CDC recommend this season?

For seniors, CDC calls a yearly flu vaccine the best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications. Here is what CDC’s pages say as of early October 2026. Some of those pages note that updates are coming.

• Flu. Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get one every season. For people 65 and older, CDC prefers Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok or Fluad. If none is available, CDC says to get another flu vaccine approved for their age.
• COVID-19. As of October 2026, CDC’s guidance for health care providers recommends a 2026 to 2027 COVID-19 vaccine for all adults. CDC says each patient should weigh the benefits and risks with their provider.
• RSV. CDC recommends one for everyone 75 and older and for adults 50 to 74 at increased risk of severe RSV. It is not a yearly shot. If your parent already had one, CDC says not to get another at this time.
• Pneumococcal. Flu raises the risk of pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia. CDC says people 50 and older should be up to date on this vaccine. It can be given at the same visit as a flu shot.

Timing matters too. CDC says September and October are generally good months for a flu shot. Most adults 65 and older should not get one early, in July or August, because protection may fade over time. Ask your parent’s doctor or pharmacist which shots fit their health and history.

What everyday habits keep germs out of the house?

Flu spreads mainly through droplets when a sick person coughs, sneezes or talks nearby. It can also travel from a surface to someone’s hands and then to their mouth, nose or eyes. These habits help protect seniors from flu and other winter viruses:

• Wash hands often. Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Clean what everyone touches. Start with doorknobs, light switches, phones, the TV remote and kitchen counters.
• Bring in fresh air. CDC lists cleaner air, like an open window or an air purifier, as a way to lower exposure.
• Vaccinate the helpers too. CDC says flu shots matter for people who live with or care for someone at higher risk.

Sick visitors are the hardest part, especially around the holidays. Flu virus can show up in a person about a day before symptoms start. People are most contagious in the first three days. Ask anyone who is sick to call or video chat instead.

CDC’s rule for people with flu is a good yardstick. Sick visitors should stay away until symptoms improve overall and there has been no fever for 24 hours. That fever-free day has to happen without fever-reducing medicine. The same rule fits anyone who helps care for your parent, so line up a backup helper now.

When do flu symptoms need care right away?

Flu usually comes on suddenly. Common symptoms include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and tiredness. Not everyone with flu runs a fever, so do not wait for one. CDC lists these emergency warning signs in adults:

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.
• Pain or pressure in the chest or belly that does not let up.
• Dizziness or confusion that does not let up, or being unable to wake up.
• Seizures.
• Not urinating.
• Severe muscle pain, weakness or unsteadiness.
• Fever or cough that gets better, then comes back or gets worse.
• Long-term health problems getting worse.

CDC says anyone with these warning signs should get medical care right away. The list is not complete, so call the doctor about any symptom that seems severe or worrying. The signs in children are on CDC’s flu signs and symptoms page.

What if your parent starts to feel sick?

CDC says people 65 and older should call their health care provider right away when flu symptoms start. Flu antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that can make the illness milder and shorter. They may also help prevent complications like pneumonia.

Timing is the reason not to wait it out. CDC says antivirals work best when started within two days after symptoms begin. Starting later can still help, especially for someone at higher risk or very sick. Antibiotics do not treat flu, because flu is a virus.

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV can look alike, and the doctor may want a test. CDC also says adults 50 and older with COVID-19 symptoms are eligible for treatment. Before you call, jot down when the symptoms started, your parent’s temperature and their current medicine list.

How can a helper at home lower your parent’s flu risk?

Every crowded store, pharmacy line or waiting room puts your parent near people who may be sick. CDC lists physical distance as an extra layer of protection when illness is rising in the community. A practical way to protect seniors from flu is to bring the errands to them.

• Someone else handles the grocery runs and prescription pickups, so your parent can skip the busy stores.
• A helper makes simple meals for sick days and keeps the kitchen stocked.
• Laundry, dishes and wiping down counters get done.
• Your parent has a steady companion who notices changes, like eating less, sleeping more or seeming confused.

If your parent does get sick, the same help lets them rest. Someone who sees them often can also spot a warning sign and call the family or the doctor.

What can our caregivers do this flu season?

Our caregivers provide non-medical help. During flu season, that can mean errands, grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, meal preparation and light housekeeping. They can also give medication reminders, go along to doctor appointments and keep your parent company. They do not give medical care. Vaccines, tests and antivirals come from your parent’s doctor, pharmacist or other medical providers.

Our services are private pay, which means families pay us directly. We serve Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties from our office in Bulverde. Care can usually start within a day or two. Learn more about our in-home senior care during the cold months.

Common questions

Does Medicare pay for flu shots?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers a flu shot, usually once each flu season. Your parent pays nothing if the provider accepts assignment. Part B also covers COVID-19 vaccines, and Part D covers the RSV vaccine at no cost.

Is it too late for a flu shot after October?

No. CDC says it is best to be vaccinated by the end of October. But people should keep getting vaccinated as long as flu viruses are a threat in their community.

Can a flu shot give my parent the flu?

No. CDC says a flu vaccine cannot cause flu. Mild side effects like a sore arm, headache or tiredness can happen and usually pass quickly.

Should a sick caregiver still come to work?

No. CDC’s advice is for a sick person to stay home and away from others. Ask any agency how it covers a shift when a caregiver is out sick.

Want a hand with errands and meals this flu season? Call (210) 405-4059 or use the chat on this page for a free in-home consultation.

Written by Nancy Wilch, MSN, RN, co-owner of Assisting Hands Home Care of Northeast San Antonio.