Influenza (flu) is an acute and contagious viral infection that spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious complications in certain risk groups and those 65 years of age and older.

Symptoms suffered by patients usually include fevers, chills, muscle pain, headache, runny nose, watering eyes, cough, soar throat, and tiredness.

The flu usually strikes during winter time which is why the flu shot campaign starts in October so that everyone has a fighting chance against the influenza virus. Flu shots are recommended by local health authorities and are available in many nations without cost. Everyone needs a flu shot, get yours! Resources can be found at WHO.

Good hand hygiene is a fundamental defense against the spread of harmful germs, infections, and illnesses. Whether in hospitals, schools, or everyday interactions, practicing hand washing with soap contributes to better health outcomes and a safer world.

Additional information can be found a the Cleveland Clinic.

In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (resolution 46/91). In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.

The number of older people (defined as those aged 65 years or older) tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021. Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less than 10% to around 17%.

Healthy ageing includes creating and maintaining environments with opportunities that enable older people to do the things they enjoy and are meaningful to what valued all their lives.

Active Aging Week, established by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) is an annual campaign designed to celebrate the positive aspects of aging and promote the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle, regardless of age or health status.

The US National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ has announced “Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week 2026, October 4–10.

According to NFPA, properly charging devices can significantly reduce the risk of fires and associated hazards and making informed choices are critical to these efforts. Some best practices are:

1. Use the cord and charger that came with the device or ones approved by the manufacturer (using the wrong charger can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire).
2. Charge devices on a table, desk, or other hard, flat surface (do not charge them on beds, couches, or under pillows).
3. Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, is smoking, or has a strange smell (these are warning signs that the battery may be damaged or failing).
4. Do not leave devices plugged in longer than needed (leaving a device plugged in too long can increase heat and stress on the battery).
5. Charge larger items such as e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outdoors and away from exits (these batteries are larger and store more energy. If they fail, fires can grow quickly and spread)
6. When on a plane, keep the device where you can see then while charging (do not charge devices in overhead compartments.
7. Do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane.

Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission.

For more information, visit NFPA . All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was started in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held the 13th of October, the day promotes how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of the reduction and elimination of the risks of disasters.

Global advances in early warning systems mean that more people are receiving hazard alerts and warnings. These warning are only effective when local governments ensure that all alerts reach all community sectors including individual residences, businesses, schools, hospitals, etc. in accessible and understandable formats. When people in the warning zones understand how vulnerable their they are to specific hazards and understand what protective actions to take, surviving a major desaster will be less devistating.

Creating a local Risk Reduction Action Plan is the first step to help in the recovery and protection of loses due to major disasters. The contents of Action Plans can range from a few pages to several hundred pages. The idea is, to get started.

Look for our mid-month edition of the About for more information on disaster risk reduction and the research, knowledge, and planning of an action plan.

Sister Kenney was a world leader in the eradication of polio but emphasized her compassion for life while relieving pain and suffering.

While in North America, Sister Kenny established the Sister Kenny Rehabilitating Institute in the state of Minnesota.

Pictured on the right is of Sister Kenney demonstrating her physical therapy techniques to a group of medical professionals.

The iron lung assisted patients with breathing when they were unable to do so on their own. Due to the paralyses nature of polio, especially on the lungs, the iron lung was widely used to provide a mechanical form of breathing. Pictured on the right is an image of an iron lung which was invented by Drinker, Shaw, and Wilson at Harvard Medical School and was first used on October 12, 1928 at Boston's Children's Hospital.

As you can imagine, these machines look frightening and they produced a lot of mechanical noise. Many iron lungs were placed within walls of hospitals to alleviate the noise and images of the mechanic lung from family visiting loved ones.

World Cerebral Palsy Day is a global movement for and by the 50 million people living with cerebral palsy, their families and supporters.

This World CP Day, we’re asking people around the world to share the change they want to see, and tag a local leader, business or community organization who can help make it happen.

Please contact World Cerebral Palsy Day at the Oceania Academy for more information.

Hearing and touch senses are paramount to those who are blind or have sight challenges to explore and to understand their surroundings A sightless person will have his or her cane by their side everywhere they go. White Cane Day is a day of teaching and learning, and the more we know about individuals who are blind or visually impaired, the easier it is to donate time or money to insure that resources are always available.

Sightless individuals are trained in how to use their cane along with their hearing and touch senses. The white cane (often with a red tip)  helps the sightless to maneuver  safely  and with confidence. Their cane is literally an extension of their arms and hands. Their cane is an alternate to a guide/service animal in that the white cane will be used to avoid danger (obstacles), find steps, curbs,  doorways, uneven or cracks in the sidewalk, and more. Our archived article on guide and service animals can be found HERE

When you encounter someone using a white cane, remember that their cane is their tool to safety and to independently navigate the environment. If a blind or visually challenged person needs help, they will ask for it. Also, people using a cane or paired with a service animal, they have the right-of-way. If you are driving or cycling (or walking) and see someone using a white cane or a service animal, you must follow the law and yield or stop - a little goodwill goes a long way!

To learn more, contact your nearest Braille Institute.

International Infection Prevention Week – October 19 to 25

International Infection Prevention Week has been highlighting the importance of infection prevention every third week of October since 1986 to educate stakeholders and the general public on the importance of preventing the spread of illnesses and infectious agents, keeping people safe, and protecting communities from infection.

For more information go to www.infectionpreventionandyou.org/iipw/history.

International Stuttering Awareness Day is observed annually on the 22nd of October. Stuttering is a communication condition in which vocal repetitions or stoppages of sounds break the flow of speech. There may be facial and body movements associated with stuttering. International Stuttering Awareness Day is an opportunity to gain a greater insight of what stuttering is all about and how to interact with someone who stutters while in their company.

Also see Aphasia . International Stuttering Awareness Day is an opportunity to gain a greater insight of what stuttering is all about and how to interact with someone who stutters while in their company. Also see Aphasia.

Each brick below leads to Web sites which have resources for seniors and those who are victims of elder abuse. The first brick, eldercare locator, provides, among other things, a search engine to locate services in your area. The second brick, OVC, is a governmental (US) resource for those who are victims of financial fraud. And the third brick leads to an abundance of resources for caregivers and victims. Everyone should visit all three sites to gain an awareness of services that are available to seniors, seniors of abuse, caregivers, and families.