One Senior’s Perspective on Flu & Independence

When 87-year-old Peggy Prendergast went to the hospital for a fractured hip in 2017, nothing prepared her for what she was about to see.

All around her, people were suffering from the debilitating consequences of the flu.

Once a senior is hospitalized because of a medical illness, like the flu and / or its complications, they are also at risk of losing their independence. After a hospital stay, as many as one-third of seniors leave the hospital with a reduced ability to carry out their daily activities.

Peggy wants to do everything she can to keep healthy, active and independent for as long as possible.

“I’m a volunteer art teacher in retirement residences and a proud grandmother to beautiful grandchildren, and I value my active and independent lifestyle that allows me to do the things I love,” said Peggy. “I get my flu shot each year. It’s an action I take that reassures me I am doing what I can to help prevent the flu.”

For Peggy, a committed senior advocate, it’s important for seniors to get vaccinated this flu season.

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends influenza immunization for high-risk individuals, such as adults 65+ and people with chronic diseases.

Vaccination does not provide 100% protection and does not treat influenza and / or its complications or prevent hospitalization or death after the onset of disease.