Winter Wellness

Protecting Our Communities: The Critical Role of Handwashing, Vaccinations, and Therapy in Winter Wellness

As colder weather approaches, so does an increased risk of seasonal illnesses—including influenza, RSV, norovirus, and other respiratory infections. For the individuals and families we serve across long-term care, senior living, home health, and pediatric settings, illness prevention is not just a public health priority—it’s a key part of maintaining functional independence, safety, and quality of life.

As therapists and partnering organizations, we have a powerful role in promoting health, safety, and resilience during the winter months.

Why Prevention Matters

Seasonal illnesses can have dramatic effects on mobility, cognition, endurance, and overall function.

• In older adults, a minor illness can result in hospitalization, falls, deconditioning, or new functional decline.
• For children, winter illness increases school absences, delays in therapy progress, and stress on families.
• In post-acute and home health patients, weakened immunity and chronic conditions place them at higher risk for complications.

Evidence-based infection prevention protects not only individual patients—but entire communities.

Handwashing: The Simple, Powerful First Line of Defense

Hand hygiene remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Therapists play a key role in:

• Teaching proper handwashing techniques
• Reinforcing hygiene during sessions
• Incorporating handwashing into ADL retraining and pediatric routines
• Modeling consistent, visible hygiene practices

For many residents, home health patients, or children with motor or cognitive limitations, handwashing is also a functional skill that requires practice, adaptive strategies, visual cues, or step-by-step training. OTs and PTs help make this routine accessible and successful.

Vaccinations: Protecting the Most Vulnerable

Vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV continue to be among the most effective tools for reducing severe illness, hospitalization, and functional decline—especially in older adults and individuals with chronic conditions.

Therapists support vaccination efforts by:

• Reinforcing the importance of staying up-to-date
• Helping residents and families understand vaccine benefits (health literacy)
• Identifying mobility, cognitive, or transportation barriers that may prevent access
• Collaborating with nursing and medical teams to ensure safe clinic workflows

Vaccination is an act of both individual protection and community responsibility, reducing outbreaks and stabilizing care environments during the winter surge.

Health Literacy: Turning Information Into Action

Improving health literacy transforms awareness into behavior change. Therapists are uniquely positioned to communicate in ways patients understand—through demonstration, repetition, simplified explanations, and the use of visuals or hands-on learning.

Therapists can help patients and caregivers:

• Recognize early signs of illness
• Follow handwashing routines consistently
• Understand vaccine recommendations
• Learn how illness impacts safety, energy, endurance, and therapy goals

When individuals understand why these measures matter, they are more engaged and empowered to protect themselves and others.

Therapy’s Role in Winter Resilience

Illness prevention is part of maintaining functional independence. When infections are prevented, so is the cascade of:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Balance loss
• Reduced endurance
• Cognitive decline
• Social withdrawal

Therapists in all settings help individuals stay active, resilient, and able to participate in daily life—making prevention an essential part of our care model.

A Shared Responsibility

At Healthpro-Heritage we are committed to promoting safe, healthy environments for all those we serve. Preventing illness is truly a community effort—one that involves clinicians, caregivers, families, partners, and residents working together.

As we enter the winter months, we extend our appreciation to every therapist and partner who continues educating, modeling, and advocating for prevention. Your work protects not just individuals, but entire communities.

Together, let’s continue to lead with evidence, compassion, and a shared commitment to wellness.