Useful Winter Safety Tips For Your Senior Loved One
Home care solutions can help prepare your senior loved one in Gastonia, NC for winter-related risks
The weather is slowly turning colder and winter is almost here. Although the season and upcoming holidays bring us plenty to look forward to, winter can make life more complicated for many senior citizens in Gastonia, NC. Temperatures below zero, ice, blizzards and hailstorms and snow-covered walkways can all make it difficult to get around if you are a senior. To make matters worse, the risk of falling during the winter months is increased by a multifold. If you are providing care for a loved one, here are some winter safety tips and home care solutions that can help keep Mom or Dad safe and healthy this winter.
Stay Up-to-Date on Weather Conditions
To begin with, provide your loved one with information about the temperatures each day, especially if they prefer a more active daily routine and like to go outside often. Low temperatures and freezing air can cause slippery ice to form on the stairs, patio, and sidewalks of the house, as well as on the streets. When Mom or Dad plans to leave their home, make sure to give them an update on the weather conditions before going out together. This simple precaution can go a long way in enhancing your loved one’s winter safety.
Stay Warm
Remind your loved one to bundle up when going outdoors. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of aging adults produce lower body heat as a result of a slower metabolism. For this reason, seniors require more insulation to protect themselves from low temperatures. Make sure Mom or Dad wears extra layers of clothing and put on a hat, scarf, and gloves every time they go out. Professionals from home care solutions point out this is especially important for older adults who live in cooler climates.
Be Prepared for Falls
One of the best ways to promote winter safety is to remind your loved one to adhere to taking their vitamins and supplements. As the risk of falling significantly increases during the winter months, it is important to keep their bones healthy.
In addition to temperature-related winter home care solutions for seniors, you might want to consider crafting a detailed emergency plan in the event of a fall. Even if seniors are extremely cautious, slips and falls are an always-present risk during the wintertime. Think of all the possible scenarios and develop practical plans of action. This can help Mom or Dad stay prepared for any eventuality.
In many areas of the US, winter is one of the most difficult seasons for older adults, particularly for those who lead a more reclusive lifestyle. This is why winter safety measures should not be taken lightly. The good news is that with certain preparation and proper precaution, most of these issues can be avoided.
If your loved one could benefit from help around the house, consider contacting your local Visiting Angels office. We can arrange an introductory meeting and offer adequate home care solutions that can help Mom or Dad continue living safely and comfortably at home this winter.
Visiting Angels of Gastonia, NC, is a leading provider of non-medical home care solutions, no matter the season. To learn more about the in-home assisted living services provided by our staff of compassionate caregivers, please call our Gastonia office at (704) 825-3350 or contact us for more information.
Visiting Angels provides medication reminders and other services for seniors in Alexis, Belmont, Bessemer City, Boiling Springs, Casar, Charlotte, Cherryville, Cramerton, Crouse, Dallas, Earl, Fallston, Gastonia, High Shoals, Iron Station, Kings Mountain, Lattimore, Lawndale, Lincolnton, Lowell, McAdenville, Mooresboro, Polkville, Shelby, Stanley, Vale, Waco, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina.