A senior’s guide to preventative care during the colder months
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The colder months have a way of reshaping daily routines, slowing things down, and introducing challenges that are not always easy to anticipate.
For many, winter is a season that feels quiet on the surface but carries hidden demands that call for both preparation and awareness.
While some find comfort in the coziness of shorter days and warm gatherings, others discover that this time of year tests their resilience in unexpected ways.
The true key lies in uncovering small yet powerful practices that help carry us through the season feeling grounded and secure.
Gatherings, traditions, and festive moments often define winter, but they also bring heightened risks that cannot be overlooked.
Dr. Katherine Galluzzi explains that vaccinations are essential for older adults, particularly the high-dose flu shot recommended for those over 65, as the immune system loses strength with age.
She also emphasizes the importance of RSV vaccines for those in close contact with children, alongside COVID boosters and the pneumonia vaccine series.
“Being immunized helps to protect those around us… We are protecting not only ourselves but also our friends, family, loved ones and colleagues,” she says.
A senior’s guide to preventative care during the colder months. Image source: Yuliia Huzenko / Unsplash
Movement remains another critical piece of winter wellness, even when the weather outside is far from inviting.
Dr. Galluzzi encourages seniors who are able to walk outdoors daily, describing the restorative practice of “forest bathing,” which involves simply being present in nature.
Safety should always come first, with walking groups or mileage-tracking apps offering both accountability and peace of mind.
When the outdoors are too icy or harsh, indoor alternatives such as yoga classes, dancing at home, or senior exercise programs at libraries provide both activity and social engagement.
Also read: Deprescribing medications: A safer approach to senior care
Connection with others plays a vital role in maintaining overall health during the winter season. Dr. Galluzzi highlights that many of her older peers thrive by building and sustaining close-knit groups through book clubs, cooking circles, or social gatherings.
For those living alone, senior centers organized by agencies like the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging can serve as valuable lifelines to community and friendship.
“Good food, good friends and good conversation are key to well-being,” she says, noting that the benefits of social interaction extend well beyond companionship.
Rest and reflection bring balance to the season, offering a counterweight to activity and community engagement.
Also read: Chewing gum may become the newest tool in flu prevention
Curling up with a book, sipping hot tea, or simply enjoying quiet moments at home can be as restorative as physical exercise.
For Dr. Galluzzi, winter is a time to embrace stillness alongside loved ones while remaining mindful of the preventative steps that keep both body and spirit strong.
Together, these small but intentional choices create a holistic approach that allows older adults to not just endure the winter, but to experience it with health and joy.
Read next: Beware the flu: Critical symptoms you can’t ignore this winter
What steps do you take to stay healthy, active, and connected during the colder months? Share your thoughts and personal strategies with us in the comments below.
For many, winter is a season that feels quiet on the surface but carries hidden demands that call for both preparation and awareness.
While some find comfort in the coziness of shorter days and warm gatherings, others discover that this time of year tests their resilience in unexpected ways.
The true key lies in uncovering small yet powerful practices that help carry us through the season feeling grounded and secure.
Gatherings, traditions, and festive moments often define winter, but they also bring heightened risks that cannot be overlooked.
Dr. Katherine Galluzzi explains that vaccinations are essential for older adults, particularly the high-dose flu shot recommended for those over 65, as the immune system loses strength with age.
She also emphasizes the importance of RSV vaccines for those in close contact with children, alongside COVID boosters and the pneumonia vaccine series.
“Being immunized helps to protect those around us… We are protecting not only ourselves but also our friends, family, loved ones and colleagues,” she says.
A senior’s guide to preventative care during the colder months. Image source: Yuliia Huzenko / Unsplash
Movement remains another critical piece of winter wellness, even when the weather outside is far from inviting.
Dr. Galluzzi encourages seniors who are able to walk outdoors daily, describing the restorative practice of “forest bathing,” which involves simply being present in nature.
Safety should always come first, with walking groups or mileage-tracking apps offering both accountability and peace of mind.
When the outdoors are too icy or harsh, indoor alternatives such as yoga classes, dancing at home, or senior exercise programs at libraries provide both activity and social engagement.
Also read: Deprescribing medications: A safer approach to senior care
Connection with others plays a vital role in maintaining overall health during the winter season. Dr. Galluzzi highlights that many of her older peers thrive by building and sustaining close-knit groups through book clubs, cooking circles, or social gatherings.
For those living alone, senior centers organized by agencies like the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging can serve as valuable lifelines to community and friendship.
“Good food, good friends and good conversation are key to well-being,” she says, noting that the benefits of social interaction extend well beyond companionship.
Rest and reflection bring balance to the season, offering a counterweight to activity and community engagement.
Also read: Chewing gum may become the newest tool in flu prevention
Curling up with a book, sipping hot tea, or simply enjoying quiet moments at home can be as restorative as physical exercise.
For Dr. Galluzzi, winter is a time to embrace stillness alongside loved ones while remaining mindful of the preventative steps that keep both body and spirit strong.
Together, these small but intentional choices create a holistic approach that allows older adults to not just endure the winter, but to experience it with health and joy.
Read next: Beware the flu: Critical symptoms you can’t ignore this winter
