ColdZyme has released this interesting new survey about grandparents and given that the winter has started and most of us will be coming down with coughs and colds, these facts and tips are really useful and interesting. And as my mum had regularly looked after my boys, I can certainly recognise most of these facts. As approx 10 million grandparents now provide regular childcare provision and whilst this is undoubtedly an enormous financial boost for UK families, this new study released shows that it could also be brewing a potential health crisis for the older generation.
According to new research by ColdZyme Mouth Spray, grandparents are increasingly putting their health at risk and their concerns are taking a significant toll on family life and relationships.
- Over 10 million grandparents (73%) in the UK are relied upon for childcare
- Over 48% of grandparents have caught colds from their grandchildren with almost half saying that cold has developed into a more serious illness
- One in six (16%) admitted to deliberately avoiding seeing their grandchildren when the children are suffering colds
- 28% felt that their grandchildren’s parents were too relaxed about the risks colds pose to them and catching colds is the cause of regular worry amongst one in five grandparents (21%), so much so that some grandparents reported deliberately avoiding spending time with their sick grandchildren. Many grandparents put their duties first, but 13% admitted to wishing they had missed a visit to protect themselves.
- These concerns are not unfounded as nearly half (48%) of grandparents have caught colds from their grandchildren, who are particularly prone to picking up regular colds at nursery and school. A further four in ten have suffered more serious illness resulting from a cold, such as chest infections and pneumonia, indicating the knock-on effects colds can have on those with weaker immune systems.
- However, the study of 1,000 grandparents with grandchildren under the age of 10, has revealed that over half of grandparents (52%) feel they have missed out on valuable time with their grandchildren due to the worry of catching a cold.
Dr Dawn Harper, a spokesperson for ColdZyme Mouth Spray, says “More grandparents are providing regular child care for their grandchildren while both parents have work commitments. Many of my patients who provide such care tell me that it’s a job they love, but one that often leaves them feeling exhausted. Fatigue can suppress the immune system, so it’s important that grandparents get a good night’s sleep.”
Dr Dawn Harper says, The older generation are more prone to infections due to weaker immune systems and when it comes to colds, there is no cure so prevention is the name of the game.
Dawn’s Top Tips:
- Wash your hands regularly – contrary to popular belief, most coughs and colds are spread by hand contact, not by coughs and sneezes, so simply keeping your hands clean will go a long way to protecting yourself.
- Wash down surfaces and door handles – the viruses that cause colds can survive for several hours outside the human body.
- Eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables to keep your immune system in good shape. Vitamin C and zinc are vital for a healthy immune system. Zinc is found in red meat, beans and fortified cereals, whilst foods rich in vitamin C include fruits such as oranges and strawberries and vegetables such as peppers, kale and broccoli.
- Make sure you get into a good sleep routine. When we sleep our immune system repairs itself, so chronic sleep deprivation can make you prone to infections.
- Manage your stress levels. Try to prioritise and delegate where possible as stress can play havoc with your immune system.
- Consider using anti-viral tissues and keep them in your bag if those around you have a cold to minimise the spread of the virus and make sure that tissues are put straight in the bin.
- Use ColdZyme, a revolutionary mouth spray which targets the cause of the common cold and is clinically documented to help reduce the duration of a cold.
ColdZyme Spray fights the cause of the common cold its easy to use and begins working immediately by forming a protective barrier in the throat. Available from Boots, Lloyd’s Pharmacy and independent pharmacies nationwide, with an RRP of £15.99 for a 20ml bottle (effective treatment for three colds, or 55 doses), and £9.99 for a 7ml bottle, for protection on the go.
