4 Winter Health & Safety Tips for Seniors
Adult home care lets seniors age in place independently while receiving assistance with the tasks of daily living. However, since winter presents unique challenges for the elderly, it's essential to ensure your friends and family members stay healthy and safe. The following guide explores ways you can promote the well-being of your senior loved ones during the cold months.
How to Keep Seniors Safe & Healthy During Winter
1. Prevent Falls
Health issues and physical weaknesses can limit seniors' mobility, making them more vulnerable to slipping and falling, especially on snowy or icy paths, driveways, and parking lots. You can prevent injuries by providing your loved one with shoes that have non-skid soles to increase traction against walking surfaces. Additionally, replacing worn rubber tips on canes or walkers can make these mobility devices more stable, lowering the risk of falls.
2. Prioritize Warmth
The elderly tend to lose body heat more rapidly, which can occur due to certain health conditions or poor circulation. If their body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, seniors might develop hypothermia, which may cause shivering, confusion, and loss of consciousness. You can help your loved ones stay warm by ensuring their adult home care provider dresses them in warm clothing, such as wool socks, sweaters, and fleece-lined pants. You can also ensure they remain warm by asking their caregiver to set the thermostat no lower than 72 degrees, keep them away from drafty doors and windows, and give them extra blankets to use while lounging at home.
3. Install CO Detectors
Though furnaces can provide a steady flow of heat to keep indoor areas warm, they may emit carbon monoxide (CO) as a byproduct of burning fuel. When inhaled in unsafe volumes, this colorless and odorless gas can cause seniors to experience dizziness, headaches, and loss of consciousness. You can promote health by installing CO detectors throughout your loved one's home. These devices detect harmful levels of this gas and sound alarms, giving your elderly friend or family member plenty of time to vacate the premises safely.
4. Combat Depression
Colder temperatures and inclement winter weather make it more challenging for seniors to get around, meaning they may leave home less frequently and not spend as much time with family and friends. This can cause the elderly to experience loneliness, isolation, and depression. You can help your loved ones stay in good spirits by visiting them regularly. If you can't be there in person, setting up regular phone or video calls can make seniors feel cared for, loved, and happy.
Ensure your loved ones are safe and well cared for this winter with help from Harmony In-Home Healthcare Inc. This home health agency provides adult home care and senior living assistance to clients throughout St. Louis, MO. Call (314) 752-4444 to hire an adult in-home care specialist, or visit the website to learn more about how they can help your elderly family members live independently.
