Troy Cassar-Daley’s lesson from his mother could help this winter

Much of his life is spent between airports, tourist buses, regional halls and concert halls. Thousands of handshakes, conversations and many opportunities to detect the virus circulating.

Yet when asked where his approach to winter health comes from, he doesn’t mention a doctor or years on the road.

“If there’s one thing my mom taught me, it’s to take care of myself,” Cassar-Daley told Starts at 60.

Her late mother worked as a teacher, and like many people who spend their days surrounded by other people, she regularly found herself dealing with winter illnesses.

Over time, she became convinced that taking preventative measures helped her avoid the worst.

“She decided she was going to get a flu shot every year,” he said.

“She said getting vaccinated helped her survive the winter without getting too sick. »

These days, at 56, Cassar-Daley admits he thinks about his health differently than he did in his younger years.

There was a time when many Australians wore toughness almost like a badge of honour. You showed up at work, let yourself go and soldiered on, and told yourself it was just a cold. Age has a way of changing that perspective.

“When I’m on tour, I’m constantly surrounded by people, traveling, performing, meeting fans, and if I get off, everything stops,” he said.

“Shows are being canceled, people are missing, and it’s affecting more than just me. »

It’s a feeling that extends far beyond the music industry.

Many older Australians know exactly what he means: whether it’s caring for a partner, helping grandchildren, volunteering in the community or simply maintaining an active retirement, being sidelined for weeks on end can have a ripple effect far beyond a runny nose and sore throat.

Doctors closely monitor flu season

The concern this year is not simply the increase in flu cases, but rather that there is a particular strain that is causing many of these cases.

According to the latest flu surveillance data, nearly 80 percent of flu samples analyzed this season were identified as H3N2, a subtype historically associated with more severe illness in older adults. More than 6,400 confirmed cases have already been recorded in Australians aged 65 and over.

Associate Professor Michael Woodward, director of dementia research and senior geriatrician at Austin Health in Melbourne, says flu is often underestimated.

Many people still use the word loosely. A bad cold becomes “the flu” and a few days in bed deserve the same label.

The reality can be very different.

“The flu is sometimes thought of as a bad cold, but for older people it can be much more serious,” Woodward said.

For some, the flu can trigger complications that extend far beyond the initial infection. Existing heart, lung, and other chronic illnesses may worsen and recovery may take weeks rather than days. In severe cases, hospitalization becomes necessary.

It’s not just the flu

The other challenge facing Australians this winter is that flu is no longer the only respiratory illness getting attention.

COVID-19 continues to circulate and RSV, once largely associated with young children, is increasingly recognized as a significant threat to older adults and people with underlying health conditions.

For many families, winter now feels like a revolving door. One family member recovers, another falls ill. Grandparents visit their grandchildren, school holidays arrive and gatherings move indoors.

It’s no surprise that health professionals continue to encourage older Australians to think ahead rather than wait for illness to arrive at the front door.

The common sense approach

None of this means wrapping yourself in cotton wool; Australians have never been particularly good at this.

This means recognizing that the body at 65, 75, or 85 doesn’t always bounce back the same way it did before.

Health authorities recommend discussing vaccinations with a GP or pharmacist, particularly for people in higher risk groups. They also continue to emphasize the basics: washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, and taking reasonable precautions during periods of widespread illness.

None of these measures are particularly glamorous.

Then again, neither was the advice Troy had received from his mother. Simple, practical, and easy to ignore until a winter reminds you why it’s important.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION This article is of a general nature and for informational purposes only, as it does not take into account your personal health needs or existing medical conditions. This means that it is not personalized health advice and should not be relied upon as if it were. Before making any health-related decision, you should determine whether the information is appropriate for your situation and obtain professional medical advice.