What is the flu?

 

Seasonal flu is a respiratory virus that can range in symptoms from mild to severe. It can lead to serious complications, hospitalizations, and death in compromised individuals both young and old.

 

Why is getting the flu shot so important?

 

Each year there are millions of cases of flu illness, millions of flu-related medical appointments, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of flu-related deaths. The best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is by getting a yearly flu vaccine. Even when flu vaccination does not prevent illness entirely, it has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in vaccinated people.

 

Who should get a flu shot?

 

The flu shot is safe and recommended for everyone 6 months and older to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Those at highest risk of developing complications of flu illness, including people 65 years and older; adults with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease; and children under 2 years of age, should strongly consider getting a flu shot. Healthcare workers are strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccine when working with vulnerable populations. By protecting yourself, you are also protecting those around you. Those 65 and older are recommended to receive a “high dose” or “senior dose” flu vaccine that contains additional material to boost the immune response in older individuals.

 

When should I get a flu shot?

 

Adults and children should get vaccinated for flu yearly. It is optimal to receive the shot during the fall from September to November. Although the seasonal flu can circulate throughout the year, in the U.S., it usually peaks between December and March. There are special considerations for vaccination timing for young children (6 months to 8 years) that require two doses of flu vaccine, and pregnant persons when a provider may recommend an earlier dose. 

 

Who should get an updated COVID-19 Vaccine?

 

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration. If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. The updated vaccines are formulated to more closely target current circulating variants.

 

Where do I find an updated Covid Vaccine?

 

Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ to find a provider site near you. 

 

What is RSV?

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV. Monoclonal antibody products are available to protect infants and young children from severe RSV. In most regions of the United States, RSV season starts in the fall and peaks in the winter, but the timing and severity of RSV season can vary from place to place and year to year.

 

When should older adults get an RSV vaccine?

 

Adults 60 years and older should talk with their health care provider about whether RSV vaccination is right for them. If you’re 60 or older, your health care provider might recommend RSV vaccination for you, especially if you have a weakened immune system from illness (e.g., leukemia or HIV infection) or from medications (e.g., treatment for cancer or organ transplant), if you have chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, or if you live in a nursing home. If any of those apply to you, you might be at higher risk of severe RSV disease and an RSV vaccine could help prevent serious illness. 

From the Health Director: A Look Back at 2023

 Keeping Kids Safe from Lead - New Regulations! 

Most cases of lead poisoning in children occur when a child is exposed to dust, paint chips, soil, water or other items (e.g. toys, jewelry, cookware, spices) with toxic levels of lead. Lead poisoning can lead to developmental issues such as decreased attention span, learning disabilities, hearing loss, and more. There is no cure once the damage is done, but lead poisoning is preventable!

 

No lead level is safe. To minimize harms caused by lead, the Connecticut State Department of Public Health (DPH) is tightening its lead regulations. Below is a summary of changes going into effect as of January 1, 2024:

• Children in CT must be tested annually from 9 to 35 months old, all children between the ages of 36 and 72 months must be tested if not previously tested.
• Laboratory venous or capillary blood lead results of 3.5 ug/dL or greater, in a child less than 6 years of age, are reported to the local health department. The doctor’s office & local health department will provide a required follow up venous testing date and literature.
• Beginning January 2024, a single venous blood lead result of 5 to 10 ug/dL, in a child less than 6 years of age, requires an on-site inspection & epidemiological investigation by the local health department. REMEDIATION IS REQUIRED
• Beginning January 2024, a single venous blood lead test result of 10 ug/dL or greater, in a child less than 6 years of age, requires on-site inspection & epidemiological investigation by the local health department. ABATEMENT IS REQUIRED & A NOTICE OF VIOLATION ORDER MUST BE ISSUED
• When the local health department receives a report showing elevated levels of lead (paint chip, XRF testing or soil) in a dwelling where a child less than 6 years of age is in residence ABATEMENT IS REQUIRED & A NOTICE OF VIOLATION ORDER MUST BE ISSUED

Prevention is the best solution!

 

Want to learn more about keeping your family safe from lead? Check out the DPH Lead Poisoning Prevention portal for information tailored to parents, landlords, homeowners, and more.

 Steps to Safety: Preventing Falls One Step At a Time 

assessments, Fall Prevention and Healthy Aging presentations, and implementing the evidence-based program, A Matter of Balance. According to our 2022 Community Health Assessment, FVHD (26.1%) has a higher percentage of the population who have fallen in the past year than Connecticut (23.1%). Additionally, 33.8% of deaths from accidents in FVHD residents were the result of a fall, compared to only 22.7% in Connecticut. This data further reinforces FVHD's commitment to fall prevention programming in our communities.

 

Recently, FVHD brought together a coalition of Simsbury agencies, including social and senior services, fire, police, EMS, and the visiting nurse association (VNA), to address the high prevalence of falls and fall-related morbidity and mortality in this town. The coalition, Steps to Safety, aims to promote the safety and well-being of our aging population in their homes for as long as possible. When residents receive help from EMS for a fall, they receive a leave-behind card with information about the services offered by each member. These wrap-around services include home safety assessments for fall hazards, A Matter of Balance classes, access to the town medical equipment loaner closet, and more. Residents can also self-refer to the Steps to Safety program. Therefore, Steps to Safety aims to prevent residents from having an initial fall and for other residents to prevent repeat falls. The program aims to keep seniors where they want to be - home! FVHD is now expanding this program in Granby, East Granby, and East Hartland.

Urging All Residents - Test Your Home for Radon

According to the EPA Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Also, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers. Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you and your family are at risk of high radon exposure. 

 

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas released in rock, soil, and water. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes through cracks in homes. You can’t see it or smell it, but an elevated air radon level in your home may be affecting the health of your family. Sometimes radon enters your home through well water, so it may be important to test your private well water too.  

 

January is National Radon Action Month. The aim of National Radon Action Month is to increase the public’s awareness of radon and promote radon testing and mitigation. Testing is recommended in the winter months. 

 

Test kits can also be purchased from the American Lung Association of New England by calling 1-800-LUNG-USA or at your local hardware store. 

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be mitigated. EPA also recommends homeowners should consider reducing their potential lung cancer risk by lowering levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.  

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Healthy Boundaries During the Holidays

Try some of these simple steps to try to reduce the holiday stress:

 

1: Prioritize your own self care

 

Take a little time to think about the things you need to do to ensure that you are feeling rested, calm, and supported. This is the time of year we often feel pulled in many directions, and trying to be everything to everyone can leave us feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, and resentful. Make sure you eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water, ensure you are getting enough sleep and exercise.

 

Trying to maintain a schedule will help you feel like you can maintain some control over events and remember to schedule in some self-care time!

 

2: Set clear boundaries with friends and family

 

Setting boundaries can feel difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. A boundary is really just an opportunity to clearly articulate what you can and can’t do.

Take some time to plan out the holiday season on a calendar so that you can see at a glance when you have time to catch up with friends and when you need a self-care day or time to prepare for visitors. 

 

Think about the tasks you need to complete over the holidays and clearly communicate how others can help you. Don’t be afraid to ask people to schedule in time to help you set up, clean or pack away after an event. This can offer others an opportunity to feel valued and supportive.

 

Remember to be clear, kind, and inclusive in your boundaries – and to respect other's boundaries as well!

 

3: Set some financial boundaries

 

The holidays can feel like a financial juggling act. So many needs and not enough to go around. If you feel financial pressure and anxiety this year, don’t let it ruin the holidays! Decide what you can afford and set some simple boundaries:

• Host a potluck holiday celebration and ask everyone to bring a dish or beverage.
• Suggest a ‘secret Santa’ style gift exchange so each person only needs to buy one gift.
• Set a dollar value per person and clearly articulate this to your family. That way, no one feels embarrassed.
• Opt for gift free events where you meet friends for dinner or an activity and that is the ‘gift’ you give each other.

Remember: Setting boundaries is an opportunity for you to clearly communicate your needs to others. Give it a try! You might just find it easier than you first thought.

 

Additional Resources:

Finding the ‘perfect’ gift can be stressful. Do this instead (apa.org)

How to Set Boundaries With Family | Psychology Today

9 Ways to Set Boundaries with Difficult Family Members - Cope Better

CredibleMind | Boundaries for Wellbeing

CredibleMind | Setting Boundaries With Family

RGH Book Club