A minor infection can become a much bigger problem for an older adult than it would for someone younger. A cough that seems routine, a small wound, or even a stomach bug can lead to complications more quickly when the immune system is already working harder.
That is one reason International Infection Prevention Week, observed October 18–24 in 2026, is a useful reminder for families and caregivers to look at the everyday habits that help reduce infection risk. The observance is led by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), which has promoted infection prevention awareness since 1986.
For seniors, prevention often comes down to practical steps: keeping hands clean, staying current on recommended vaccines, caring for wounds properly, preparing food safely, and paying attention when something suddenly seems different.
This guide looks at why infections can affect older adults more seriously and what families can do to help protect them at home and during professional care.
Why Older Adults Face Greater Infection Risks
Infection prevention in older adults starts with understanding why aging makes the body more vulnerable. Several changes work together.
- The immune system changes with age. Older immune systems may respond less quickly or strongly to infections, making some illnesses harder to fight. This can also affect how strongly the body responds to certain vaccines, which is one reason some vaccines have formulations or recommendations specifically for older adults.
- Skin and respiratory defenses become less effective. Skin becomes thinner, drier, and slower to heal, allowing small cuts, pressure injuries, or wounds to become possible entry points for infection. Changes in respiratory muscle strength and the cough reflex may also make it harder to clear mucus and germs from the airways.
- Chronic conditions can increase vulnerability. Diabetes, heart disease, COPD, kidney disease, cancer, and some medical treatments can affect the body's ability to fight infection. Many older adults live with more than one chronic condition.
- Medical devices can create additional infection risks. Urinary catheters, feeding tubes, IV lines, and wounds may provide a pathway for germs if they are not managed carefully.
- Symptoms may be less obvious. An older adult with an infection may not always develop a high fever. Illness can sometimes appear as new weakness, confusion, reduced appetite, unusual sleepiness, or a sudden decline in activity. Because these symptoms have many possible causes, any significant or unexplained change should be evaluated rather than assumed to be a specific infection.
- Living in a group setting can also increase exposure. Residents of nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other senior care settings spend time around other residents, visitors, and caregivers, creating more opportunities for infections to spread.
Knowing these risk factors helps families recognize which infections deserve the most attention.
Common Infections in Older Adults
While older adults can catch any of the infectious diseases that affect younger people, a handful of infections cause a large share of illness, hospital stays, and hospital readmissions in this age group.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are among the most serious threats to older adults. Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe illness, particularly in seniors with chronic heart or lung conditions. Viral respiratory infections can also contribute to complications such as pneumonia.
To find out more, the CDC's respiratory virus guidance explains how these illnesses spread and how to lower risk.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are frequently diagnosed in older adults, particularly women and people who use urinary catheters.
Classic symptoms may include pain or burning with urination, increased urinary frequency, urgency, or lower abdominal discomfort. Older adults may not always report these symptoms clearly. New confusion, weakness, or a fall can occur during illness, but these symptoms have many possible causes and should not automatically be assumed to indicate a UTI.
Good personal hygiene, adequate hydration when medically appropriate, and avoiding unnecessary urinary catheters can help reduce risk.
Skin Infections and Wound Infections
Thin, fragile skin, reduced mobility, and conditions such as diabetes can make older adults more vulnerable to cellulitis, infected pressure injuries, and slow-healing wounds.
Many of these infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium that lives on the skin. A drug-resistant form called MRSA can be especially difficult to treat. That is why regular skin checks, careful wound care, and early attention to redness, swelling, drainage, warmth, or increasing pain matter so much. They help identify problems before they become more serious.
Gastrointestinal Infections
Norovirus and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) can spread quickly in group settings and cause severe diarrhea and dehydration.
Norovirus spreads easily through contaminated hands, food, surfaces, and close contact. C. diff is more likely to affect people who have recently taken antibiotics or received healthcare, which is one reason appropriate antibiotic use is an important part of infection prevention.
Shingles is another infection that becomes more common with age, but vaccination can substantially reduce the risk and is discussed below.
Infection Prevention Tips for Seniors
Preventing infections in seniors rarely depends on a single action, but on layering several simple habits together. The following infection prevention practices follow CDC guidelines and recommendations from healthcare professionals.
1. Make Hand Hygiene a Habit
Clean hands remain the single most effective way to stop the spread of germs:
- Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Cleaning the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and around the nails
- Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available
- Cleaning hands before preparing or eating food, after using the bathroom, after coughing or blowing the nose, and after returning home from public places
- Using soap and water rather than relying on hand sanitizer when hands are visibly dirty or when illnesses such as norovirus or C. diff may be present
For seniors with arthritis or limited mobility, pump-style soap, easy-to-reach sanitizer, and moisturizing lotion to prevent cracked skin can make regular hand hygiene easier.
2. Stay Current on Recommended Vaccines
Vaccines teach the immune system to recognize germs before an infection takes hold. Older adults should talk with their doctor or pharmacist about:
- Influenza vaccines: An annual flu shot is recommended for adults, and high-dose or enhanced versions are often preferred for adults 65 and older. Early fall is an ideal time to get vaccinated before flu season peaks.
- COVID-19 vaccine: An updated dose may be recommended based on age, health conditions, and time since the last dose.
- RSV vaccine: The CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and older and for adults 50 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe illness. It is currently a one-time vaccine, not an annual shot.
- Pneumococcal vaccine: This vaccine protects against the bacteria responsible for many cases of bacterial pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis.
- Shingles vaccine: The recombinant shingles vaccine is recommended in two doses for adults 50 and older, including people who have already had shingles.
- Tetanus and diphtheria (Td or Tdap): A booster is recommended every 10 years.
Recommendations change over time, so the CDC adult immunization schedule and a trusted physician are the best sources for current guidance.
Family members and caregivers should also stay current on vaccines recommended for them, helping reduce the chance of bringing preventable infections into the home.
3. Practice Respiratory Hygiene
Respiratory hygiene, sometimes called cough etiquette, helps contain germs that spread through the air. Simple habits include:
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of the elbow
- Throwing used tissues away right away and cleaning hands afterward
- Wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor places during periods of high respiratory illness
- Asking sick friends and relatives to postpone visits until they feel better
- Staying home and away from others when feeling unwell.
4. Clean High-Touch Surfaces Regularly
Germs can survive on surfaces for hours or even days. Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces lowers the chance that germs will move from a countertop to a hand to the mouth or eyes. Focus on:
- Doorknobs, light switches, and handrails
- Remote controls, phones, tablets, and eyeglasses
- Faucets, toilet handles, and bathroom grab bars
- Walkers, canes, wheelchair armrests, and bed rails
- Kitchen counters and refrigerator handles.
Use an EPA-registered disinfectant and follow the label instructions, including how long the surface should stay wet. During illness in the home, clean these areas daily.
5. Prepare and Store Food Safely
Older adults are more likely to become seriously ill from foodborne infections such as Salmonella and Listeria.
Wash hands before preparing food, rinse produce, keep raw meat separate from foods that are ready to eat, cook meat and eggs thoroughly, and refrigerate perishable foods promptly. Avoid unpasteurized milk and foods made from unpasteurized dairy products.
6. Protect Skin and Care for Wounds Promptly
Healthy, intact skin is the body's first barrier against germs. To help prevent skin infections:
- Moisturize daily to prevent cracking
- Inspect feet and skin folds regularly, especially for people with diabetes
- Clean small cuts with soap and water, apply a clean bandage, and watch for redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage
- Change positions frequently if mobility is limited to prevent pressure injuries
- Keep nails trimmed and clean.
Wounds that are slow to heal, deep, or showing signs of infection need professional attention.
7. Support Good Nutrition and Hydration
Adequate nutrition and hydration support normal immune function, skin health, strength, and recovery from illness.
Older adults may experience less thirst, so keeping fluids within easy reach and offering them regularly can help unless a healthcare provider has recommended fluid restriction. Besides that, adequate protein is also important for maintaining muscle and supporting wound healing.
8. Use Antibiotics Wisely
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, but they do not work against viruses such as influenza or the common cold. Overuse and unnecessary use can contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and increase the risk of conditions such as C. diff.
Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, follow the treatment duration recommended by the healthcare professional, and never share or save leftover antibiotics for future illnesses.
9. Know the Warning Signs and Act Early
Because infections in older adults can be subtle, families should watch for:
- New or worsening confusion, drowsiness, or agitation
- Fever, chills, or an unusually low body temperature
- A new cough, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
- Pain or burning with urination, or a change in urine color or odor
- Red, warm, swollen, or painful skin
- Loss of appetite, unusual fatigue, or a sudden fall.
Prompt evaluation can help identify the cause and reduce the risk of complications. Contact a healthcare professional when new symptoms appear, and seek emergency care for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, inability to stay awake, or sudden severe confusion.
10. Stay Informed About Local Illness Activity
Public health alerts from the CDC, the California Department of Public Health, and county agencies such as the OC Health Care Agency report when flu, COVID-19, RSV, or other outbreaks are rising in the community. Checking these updates helps families decide when to add precautions, such as wearing masks in crowded places or limiting visitors.
These habits form a strong foundation at home. When an older adult receives professional care, an additional layer of protection comes into play.
How Professional Care Helps Prevent Infection
Whether care takes place in a hospital, nursing facility, assisted living community, or at home, healthcare teams follow infection prevention procedures designed to protect patients, residents, and staff.
Healthcare teams may use measures such as:
- Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when appropriate
- Safe or sterile techniques for procedures and medical devices
- Regular cleaning of patient rooms and shared equipment
- Additional precautions for patients with contagious infections
- Staff education and infection-prevention training.
Senior care facilities also monitor residents for signs of illness and may introduce additional precautions during outbreaks. Families considering a nursing home or other facility can ask how infections are tracked, how outbreaks are handled, and how often staff receive infection-prevention training. Medicare's Care Compare tool also shows inspection results and quality ratings for nursing homes.
When professional care is provided at home, infection prevention remains important. Nurses, aides, and other caregivers may use hand hygiene, protective equipment, safe wound or catheter care, and proper handling of medical supplies. Family caregivers can support these practices by following the care team's instructions between visits.
These same practices carry special weight for patients receiving hospice care at home.
Infection Prevention in Hospice Care
People receiving hospice care are often among the most vulnerable to infection. Advanced illness, limited mobility, fragile skin, and medical equipment all increase risk.
In hospice, infection prevention is part of keeping the patient comfortable and reducing avoidable complications. The goal is to prevent unnecessary discomfort while respecting the patient's plan of care and personal goals, rather than to pursue every possible medical intervention.
At Orange Hospice, our nurses, aides, and other team members follow infection control guidelines during home visits. This includes careful hand hygiene, appropriate use of PPE, safe handling of medical supplies, and attentive skin and wound care.
The hospice team can also teach family caregivers how to reduce infection risks between visits, recognize changes that may need attention, and understand how an infection may be managed within the patient's comfort-focused care plan.
Caregiving also takes a physical and emotional toll. Respite care can give eligible family caregivers time to rest while their loved one continues to receive hospice support. Our caregiver survival guide also offers practical tips for staying well.
Making Infection Prevention a Year-Round Habit
International Infection Prevention Week is a useful reminder, but infection prevention matters throughout the year. Clean hands, recommended vaccines, safe food and wound care, appropriate antibiotic use, and early attention to new symptoms can all help reduce infection risks for older adults.
For seniors living with advanced illness, these same habits can also help reduce discomfort and avoid preventable complications.
Compassionate Hospice Care in Southern California
Families do not have to manage those concerns alone.
Our team at Orange Hospice serves patients and families in Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties.
If your loved one is living with a serious illness and you have questions about comfort care, caregiver support, or hospice eligibility, we are here to help. For eligible patients, hospice is covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
Call us at (714) 790-0594 or contact us to request a no-obligation hospice evaluation.
FAQs
- When is International Infection Prevention Week?
International Infection Prevention Week is observed every year during the third week of October. In 2026, it takes place October 18–24. The week was established in 1986 and is led by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
- Why are seniors more likely to get infections?
Aging immune systems respond more slowly to germs, and changes in body composition, thinner skin, chronic conditions, and medical devices all increase vulnerability. Older adults who live in group settings also have more exposure to germs.
- What are the most common infections in older adults?
Respiratory infections such as flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia are among the most common and serious. Urinary tract infections, skin infections, shingles, and gastrointestinal infections like norovirus and C. diff are also frequent.
- Which vaccines should older adults ask about?
Older adults should ask their doctor about influenza vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine, the RSV vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine, the shingles vaccine, and a tetanus booster. The right schedule depends on age, health conditions, and previous vaccinations.
- What are the signs of infection in elderly people?
Older adults may not have a high fever. Watch for new confusion, sudden weakness, falls, loss of appetite, unusual fatigue, a new cough, painful urination, or red and swollen skin. Any sudden change in behavior or alertness deserves a call to the doctor.
- What are healthcare-associated infections?
Healthcare-associated infections develop while a person is receiving treatment for another condition, whether in a hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or at home. Common examples include catheter-related urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and C. diff.
- How do nursing homes prevent the spread of infection?
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities maintain an infection control program that includes hand hygiene, Personal Protective Equipment, cleaning and sanitation procedures, staff training, resident monitoring, vaccination programs, and outbreak investigations when illnesses appear.
- How does Orange Hospice help prevent infections for patients at home?
Our team follows infection control practices during every visit, including hand hygiene, appropriate protective equipment, safe handling of supplies, and attentive skin and wound care. We also teach family caregivers practical ways to reduce infection risks between visits.
