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08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Recommended routine vaccinations for older adults
Jonathan Planton1, Jennifer O Meyer, Barbara J Edlund
1Medical University of South Carolina, Collge of Nursing, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. edlundb@musc.edu
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
|June 22, 2012
Summary
Vaccinations for older adults prevent serious diseases like influenza, pneumococcal disease, and tetanus. Immunizations reduce complications, functional decline, and hospitalizations in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Preventive Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Primary prevention aims to avert disease development.
- Immunizations are a key preventive strategy for clinicians.
- Older adults face higher risks for complications from infections due to altered immunity and chronic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of immunizations in primary prevention for older adults.
- To underscore the risks associated with preventable infections in this demographic.
- To emphasize the role of vaccination in reducing morbidity, mortality, and disability.
Main Methods:
- Review of current vaccination strategies for older adults.
- Analysis of the impact of influenza, pneumococcal disease, and tetanus on the elderly.
- Examination of age-defined recommendations for vaccination schedules.
Main Results:
- Influenza, pneumococcal disease, and tetanus cause significant morbidity and mortality in adults aged 65 and older.
- These infections can lead to severe complications, including hospitalization for conditions like heart failure, stroke, and pneumonia.
- Vaccination aims to decrease functional decline, disability, and hospital admissions.
Conclusions:
- Immunizing older adults is crucial for primary prevention.
- Vaccinations help mitigate the severe consequences of preventable infectious diseases in the elderly.
- Adherence to age-defined vaccination schedules is recommended for optimal health outcomes.
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