Hello Again!               Cold and flu season is here again. At LDHCC we’re gearing up with flu vaccinations for both residents and staff.               I’ve given an in-service for all staff members on infection control. A beginning point includes keeping your immunity built up with a healthy diet, adequate rest, and stress reduction. Follow that up with frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with people who are ill if at all possible.               A request we would like to make is if you are sick please refrain from visiting the nursing home during your illness. We need to limit our loved one’s exposure to those nasty bugs. While you are sick keep in touch by phone.               We are aware that if a resident becomes ill and runs a fever for a brief period, we may need to isolate them to some extent to keep the illness from spreading throughout the facility. We will always care for them and try to keep loneliness at bay.               Sometimes when residents are ill with a cold or flue they may ask you to bring in over the counter cold and flu medicines. We can’t allow that. It’s against the law. If they want an OTC medication the request goes through the Nurse, the Doctor, and needs to be brought by the pharmacy so if this comes up with a loved one please help us enforce this policy.               If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call. Thanks for your understanding and I hope we’ll all get through this winter healthy and happy   Bye for now   Deb Becker, RN, BA Director of Nursing