Health needs change with the seasons.

This section provides timely guidance related to weather, holidays, and seasonal risks, including hurricane preparedness, vaccine season, heat safety, and winter health concerns.

Posts are designed to help individuals and families plan ahead and stay safe throughout the year.

Seasonal Health Blog Posts

January often comes with a sense of possibility. A new year feels like a natural time to pause, reflect, and think about what we want more of in our lives. More energy. Better sleep. Feeling stronger or more confident in our bodies.

Healthy resets do not have to be dramatic or extreme to be meaningful. In fact, the changes that last the longest are usually the ones that fit gently into real life.

Starting With Lifestyle, Not Pressure

When people think about “getting healthier,” they often jump straight to rules or restrictions. But lasting health usually starts with simpler questions.

What matters most to me?

What feels doable right now?

What would make daily life feel a little easier or more enjoyable?

For some people, that might mean moving their body a bit more. For others, it might be improving sleep, eating more regularly, or feeling less overwhelmed by health decisions.

There is no single right way to reset. The best place to start is where you are.

Movement That Fits Your Life

Exercise does not need to look like a gym routine to be effective. Movement supports balance, strength, mood, and independence at every age. Some options that work well for many people include:

  • Walking outside or with a local walking group

  • Strength and balance classes like SilverSneakers

  • Chair yoga or gentle stretching

  • Light resistance training to support muscle and bone health

The goal is not intensity. The goal is consistency and finding something you can keep doing.

Eating Well Without Extremes

Nutrition is another area where simple often works better than strict. Rather than focusing on what to cut out, many people benefit from focusing on:

  • Eating regular meals

  • Including enough protein to support muscle health

  • Choosing fiber-rich foods

  • Staying hydrated

  • Eating in a way that fits cultural preferences and daily routines

Healthy eating should feel supportive, not stressful. There is no one-size-fits-all plan.

A Gentle Word About Medications and Supplements

January is also a time when many people add supplements or try new health products. Protein powders, creatine, metabolism boosters, and herbal supplements are especially popular at the start of the year.

These products can seem harmless, but they are not regulated the same way prescription medications are. Supplements can interact with medications, affect blood pressure or kidney function, and sometimes overlap in ingredients without people realizing it. If you take prescription medications or manage chronic conditions, it is important that supplements are part of the conversation with your healthcare team.

GLP-1 medications have also become part of many health conversations. For some individuals, they can be very helpful tools for blood sugar control and weight management. Like all medications, they work best when paired with education, nutrition support, hydration, and realistic expectations.

A new year is a wonderful time for a reset, but the safest and most effective changes are the ones built on education and compassion. Healthy resets do not have to be perfect. They just need to be thoughtful and sustainable. Questions about medications or supplements or how to incorporate movement into your lifestyle? Contact us to learn how we can support you.

With care,
Abigail Wright, BCGP BCPS CDP PharmD MS FASCP
Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting

January 1, 2026: Healthy Resets, Done Safely

Each season comes with its own routines. In the fall, we get back into school schedules, prepare for cooler weather, and get pumpkin flavored everything. It’s also the time when viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV tend to spread more easily.

Vaccines are one of the simplest ways we can protect ourselves and those around us. They are not about numbers or politics. They are about keeping people healthy and easing worry for families, caregivers, and communities.

How Vaccines Work: Vaccines help the immune system practice. They give your body a safe “preview” of a virus, so that if you’re exposed later, your body already knows how to respond. That preparation helps lower the risk of serious illness and hospitalization.

Three “Fall” Vaccines

  • Flu Vaccine: The flu virus changes every year, which is why the vaccine is updated each fall. It helps reduce the risk of severe illness and gives extra protection to those who may be more vulnerable. There is generally a standard dose and a high dose version (the latter is used for our older adults.)

  • COVID-19 Vaccine: COVID-19 has a large amount of activity in the fall and winter, much like the flu. Vaccines are updated to match the strains that are circulating most widely. Regardless of the strains included, the goal is the same: fewer complications and safer communities.

  • RSV Vaccine: Respiratory Syncytial Virus is not new, but vaccines for it are. For infants and older adults, RSV can be especially dangerous. Having preventive options available now means fewer hospitalizations and more peace of mind for families. Currently, this vaccine is a one-time lifetime dose.

When we talk about vaccines and willingness to get them, what often makes the biggest difference is focusing on common values, rather than statistics or politics. When we focus on caring for our families, supporting our neighbors, and keeping each other safe, it improves the chances that someone will receive a vaccine. Let’s consider the following when we talk about vaccines:

  • Empathy: Many of us have questions about vaccines, and that’s okay. Honest conversations make space for those questions.

  • Listening: Every person’s story matters. Taking time to listen helps us understand each other better.

  • Clarity: Simple, straightforward information helps everyone make the best decisions for their families.

  • Community: Vaccines are not just about individual protection. They help reduce illness across neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.

When we start from these shared values, conversations about vaccines become less about convincing and more about caring for one another.

If you are unsure about which vaccines might be right for you this year, your healthcare team—including your pharmacist—is here to answer questions and support you in making decisions you feel confident about.

Stay well this season,
Abigail Wright, RPh BCGP PharmD MS
Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting

September 1, 2025: Caring for our Communities - Fall Vaccine Considerations

Living along the Gulf Coast means always keeping one eye on the weather, especially during hurricane season. We’ve all seen how fast things can change - a sunny morning can turn into an evacuation by nightfall.

While most people remember to pack clothes, snacks, pets, and important papers, medications can get left behind or packed without a plan. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen the stress this causes - not just for patients, but for caregivers and families too. That’s why a little planning now can make a big difference later.

Here’s how to make sure you’re ready if you ever need to leave home in a hurry.

Build a Medication Go-Bag: Set aside a small bag that’s easy to grab. It should include:

  • A current list of all medications like names, doses, and times you take them

  • Space for at least 7 days of each medication, if possible

  • Over-the-counter items you use regularly

  • Supplies like pill organizers, syringes, inhalers, glucose test strips, or eye drops

  • Emergency contact information for your doctor, pharmacy, caregiver

Tip: Keep medications in their original containers whenever possible - they're clearly labeled and travel best that way.

For Medications That Need to Stay Cold: Some medications (like insulin, GLP-1 injections, or certain eye drops) need refrigeration. Be ready with:

  • A small insulated bag or cooler

  • Ice packs you can keep in the freezer during storm season

  • A note or label on the cooler about which medications are inside

If power or ice isn’t available, move refrigerated medications to the coolest, darkest spot in your home. Many are okay at room temperature for a limited time - but make sure to write down when they came out of the fridge as it can impact their expiration date (See June 2025 blog post for more information about refrigerated medications.)

If You’re Evacuating: Regardless if it’s to another town or another state, be sure to:

  • Bring your pharmacy’s phone number in case you need help transferring prescriptions

  • Pack your insurance card and ID for refills

  • Ask your doctor now if they can provide early refills or backup prescriptions during hurricane season, especially if a storm is coming

If You Lose Access to Medications: Whether it be from forgetting them during an evacuation or from flooding and power loss, you have several options:

  • Call your local pharmacy - they will transfer your prescription to another store

  • Use RxOpen.org to find open pharmacies during disasters

  • Call 211 or your emergency services hotline for local assistance

Storms are unpredictable, but your medication plan doesn’t have to be. A little preparation now can help keep you safe, calm, and healthy - no matter what the forecast says.

If you have questions about how to store or pack your medications, or want help creating a personalized medication plan, I’m always here to help.

Stay safe this hurricane season,
Abigail Wright, RPh PharmD BCGP MS
Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting

July 1, 2025: Ready to Go - How to Prepare Your Medications for Evacuation

if your insulin bottle starts to look cloudy like this, it’s

definitely time to call your pharmacy!

Hurricane season is here, and with it comes the possibility of power outages. Most of us know to stock up on flashlights, food, and bottled water - but for people who take insulin, having a plan for your medication is just as important.

As a pharmacist, I’ve talked to many patients who weren’t sure what to do with their insulin when the fridge goes out. So let’s walk through a few simple steps to help keep you safe - and your insulin effective - if the power goes out.

Why Storage Matters for Insulin: Insulin is sensitive to temperature. If it gets too warm or too cold, it may not work as well. That’s why most insulin should be stored in the fridge - between 36-46°F - until it’s opened.

But here’s the good news: Once opened, most insulin can stay at room temperature for up to 28 days, depending on the type. That means if the power goes out, you may still be able to use your insulin safely - as long as you know when it came out of the fridge and when to throw it away.

What To Do If the Power Goes Out

1. Keep It Cool, If You Can

  • Move your insulin into a cooler with ice packs.

  • Don’t let it freeze - frozen insulin is not safe to use.

2. Track the Time

  • Write down the date and time it was removed from the fridge.

  • Check the expiration at room temperature - for most insulins, that’s 28 days, but some brands may differ (some are 14 or 42 days).

  • Label the insulin with its new expiration date to stay on track.

3. Watch for Changes - Throw insulin away if:

  • It becomes cloudy (unless it's supposed to be)

  • You see clumps, strings, or color changes

  • It was frozen or left in extreme heat for too long

When in doubt, check with your pharmacist or prescriber before using it.

What If You Need a Replacement? If your insulin is no longer safe to use, there are resources to help:

  • Call your pharmacy - many local and chain pharmacies can send a refill to a nearby store or help replace lost medications. Visit Rx Open to find open pharmacies in disaster areas.

  • Contact your prescriber - they can send a new prescription to a different location if needed.

  • Reach out to insulin manufacturers - Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi all have patient assistance programs and may help during emergencies. Their phone numbers can be found at the FDA Website.

  • Call 211 or your county emergency services for local help with medication access after a storm. Phone numbers for emergency diabetes help can be found at the CDC website.

Plan ahead - Build a small emergency kit with:

  • 1-2 weeks of insulin (kept refrigerated until needed)

  • Syringes, pens, or pump supplies

  • Glucometer/test strips or CGM supplies, plus alcohol swabs

  • Diabetes friendly snacks

  • Ice packs and an insulated cooler bag

  • A printed medication list and emergency contacts

Insulin is life-saving, but only if it’s stored and used safely. Knowing the room temperature rules, having a cooler ready, and knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference in a storm.

If you ever have questions about storing or replacing your insulin after a power outage, I’m here to help.

Until next time,
Abigail Wright, RPh PharmD BCGP MS
Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting

June 1, 2025: Hurricane Season & Insulin

- What to Do When the Power Goes Out

Disclaimer:
The information in this blog is for general education and information only. It is not meant to replace advice from a doctor or other healthcare professional. Always talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about a specific medical condition or treatment. Do not ignore or delay getting professional advice because of something you read here. Wright Geriatric Consulting and Abigail Wright are not responsible for any decisions made based on this information.