Did you know that the flu vaccine and dementia share a critical connection when it comes to resident health? People living with dementia face a higher risk of infection-related complications, and respiratory infections like influenza are among the leading causes of hospitalization and death in older adults. Research has found that older individuals with dementia may experience even higher rates of hospitalization and mortality related to respiratory infections, including a greater risk of influenza-related death.

A team of researchers conducted an extensive study, monitoring Danish residents over the age of 65 with dementia from 2002 to 2018. The results, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, revealed that hospitalization rates from flu were 9% to 10% lower and mortality rates were 9% lower in those who had received the flu vaccine compared to those who were not vaccinated.

The positive impact of vaccination is also highlighted in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, which reports that people with dementia who were vaccinated against the flu were less likely to be hospitalized or die.

These encouraging outcomes point to the protective role vaccines can play in supporting the health of those living with dementia. Now’s the time to educate family members, encourage residents to consider the flu vaccine, and challenge everyone in your community to promote vaccination. The connection between the flu vaccine and dementia is clear—and you have a few months before the 2025 flu season to build a plan. Let’s get going! Stay well and stay informed!