You hear a lot about the shingles vaccination. You’re not sure your dad’s insurance covers it. Not every plan does, so you should check to see if it’s covered under medical insurance or drug plan coverage. If it’s not, families often struggle with the cost of the shot and if it’s worth the price.
If you’re in this situation, it’s important to look at what shingles is. Is your dad likely to get it? If he is in the risk group, you need to talk to him about the shot. Talk to his pharmacist or doctor to see if his insurance covers it. More companies are starting to cover the vaccination.
What is Shingles?
Shingles happens when the virus that caused chickenpox becomes active again. After having chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your body. Decades later, it may develop again and leads to a painful skin rash that appears on the side of the torso and sometimes on the face.
With shingles, nerve pain can happen and make it hard to be active for several weeks. Fever, headache, and a burning sensation are other symptoms. Some people have severe nerve pain that lasts for months. About 30 percent of people who had chickenpox develop shingles later in life.
When Should Your Dad Get the Shingles Vaccine?
There are two shingles vaccinations. Zostavax came out in 2006 and was recommended for those over the age of 60. It was only 51 percent effective, however. It contained a live form of zoster and only offered five years of protection.
Shingrix came out later and is for people 50 or older. It requires two shots to be given a few months apart. It’s far more effective at 85 percent in the first four years.
Your dad should talk to his doctor about the best time to get the shingles vaccine. The disease is more likely to happen later in life, so it’s often recommended that people don’t get it too early and have its effectiveness run out when the disease is more likely to return.
Support Your Dad With Senior Care Services
What happens if your dad gets shingles? He may be lucky and have a mild case. There is that chance he’ll be among those who deal with severe nerve pain for weeks or even months. Make sure he’s supported at home with senior care services.
He’ll want to have someone doing the housework and preparing meals. He may find it impossible to drive and needs transportation services. He may need help to remember when he can take his next dose of an over-the-counter pain reliever or any prescription medications his doctor recommends. A senior care agency can help you plan these care services.
Sources:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/infographics/5-things-you-need-know-about-shingles
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/zostavax/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
If you or an aging loved-one are considering senior care in Cherry Hills, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today. Call us at (303) 756-9322.
