Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

The winter months are a beautiful time of year as the fall starts to snow, and the temperatures make it comfortable to cozy up in your comfiest clothes. But winter can also come with a few safety concerns for older adults, especially when it comes to the cold, snow, and ice. As the winter months approach, consider the following safety tips to keep yourself safe and healthy this season.

Staying safe in the cold

The older you get, the more sensitive your body gets to cold temperatures. If you’re too cold, it can lead to hypothermia and increase your risk of heart disease and organ damage. Keep your body safe by wearing warm clothes, protecting your skin, and heating your home.

Wear proper attire inside and outdoors. Dress for the weather, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. When you’re inside, keep on warm socks, long pants, and a cozy sweater. If you venture outside, wear a thick coat and proper cold-weather accessories.
Protect your skin from the elements. Wind and cold exposure can significantly dry out your skin, causing cracks and cuts that can lead to an infection. In extreme cold, keep your skin covered as much as possible with scarves, mittens, and hats.
Keep your home heated. Keep your house heated to at least 70 degrees during the winter. Not only will it help keep you warm, but it’s also essential for your home’s maintenance. Heating a home can get expensive, so if you can’t warm your whole house, try to at least heat the rooms you use most, such as the living room and bedroom.

Reducing outdoor falls

The outdoors always present fall hazards for older adults, but it’s more concerning in the winter, thanks to the ice and snow. Keep your walkways clear, wear reliable shoes, and stay inside when the weather gets crazy to reduce your fall risk.

Keep your walkways shoveled and salted. If you live somewhere with an outdoor walkway, make sure it’s shoveled and salted to keep snow and ice from piling up. If you cannot shovel, ask a friend or relative, or hire a professional to help.
Wear sturdy shoes. When you venture outside, wear sturdy shoes with an excellent grip to help you keep your balance and footing.
Don’t venture out in poor weather. On days when it’s heavily snowing or if there’s a lot of ice outside, stay indoors. You can request plenty of services to get your groceries, food, or other supplies delivered to your home.

Keeping decorations safe

The winter months bring the joy of the holidays, which means many seniors are decorating their homes for upcoming gatherings and festivities. While preparing your home for the holiday season, keep decoration safety in mind.

Make sure decorations are not blocking walkways. There are plenty of cute floor decorations, but ensure any decorations on the floor are not blocking walkways, hallways, or entryways, as they can become a falling hazard. Instead, try to place them in corners or stick to using decorations that can go on walls or shelves.
Refrain from using easily breakable decorations. Many decorations use glass or porcelain, which easily breaks if it falls. Finding broken pieces on the floor can also be challenging, leading to cuts if you step on them. Try to stick to more sturdy materials, such as wood or plastics.
Be aware of potential fire hazards. If you have any live plants, like a tree, keep them away from fireplaces and furnaces, as they can easily catch fire. Also, check any wires on lights for frays or cuts that may cause a spark.

How Visiting Angels can help

If you’re an older adult living in the Horsham community and would like assistance staying warm and safe this winter, the team at Visiting Angels can help! Our caregivers can help contact professionals to remove snow and ice, identify potential safety hazards in the home, or help you shop for safe decorations. Visiting Angels caregivers can also provide nonmedical services like light housekeeping, medication reminders, mobility assistance, personal grooming, and more.

Our Horsham office serves those in Horsham, Hatboro, Willow Grove, Ambler, Lower Gwynedd, Spring House, and the surrounding areas. To learn more about our services or schedule a complimentary consultation, send us a message or call 215-938-7202.