Home Care Solutions and Senior Winter Safety in Boulder County

Learn more about how home care solutions can help older adults in Longmont, CO stay safe during winter weather

The winter is a tricky time for older adults in Boulder County. Although they do need to go outside into the fresh air and spend some time in the sun, doing so can be quite dangerous. One of the best things you can do for your loved one is help them get ahead of any potentially dangerous situations by preparing them. At Visiting Angels, we have been providing older adults with home care solutions for quite a long time now. This means that we have spent many winters, both mild and severe and everything in between, with seniors in Boulder County, CO. We wanted to share some things we have learned along the way with you, so you can make sure your loved one is ready for everything the weather throws at them.

Prevent Slips and Falls on Icy Walkways

One of the biggest problems for older adults is taking a fall, and, when the cold weather comes, their chance of taking a fall go up significantly. The reason falls are so dangerous for seniors is the fact that they can mean an unnecessary and avoidable visit to the emergency room. As you probably know, emergency room visits are no one's favorite pastime and avoiding them is always welcome. For older adults, they are more than just unpleasant. With an already lowered immune system, older adults can end up being exposed to a serious virus in the emergency room. At the same time, each visit is particularly stressful and can aggravate chronic conditions faced by your parent. We hope that it is becoming clear why fall prevention is so important in the winter. Proper home care solutions must take fall prevention into account.

To prevent falls, one of the most important things to do is make sure your loved one is aware of the weather and is properly dressed. Shoes are particularly important if it is snowing outside or freezing.

Help Your Loved One Stay Warm

Freezing air is also dangerous for older adults and bundling up is key. Older adults have lower body temperature as it is and need to stay warm. Dressing in layers is always a good idea in case your loved one gets too warm and is tempted to take off their jacket or another chunky piece of clothing.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Having an emergency plan is also a good idea. The plan should account for everything that could happen to your loved one in the winter, but it should also include a plan for severe weather.

Consider Professional Caregivers

It may be a good idea for your loved one to consider professional home care solutions from Visiting Angels. If they are not yet entertaining the possibility because they are still relatively independent, it can help for you to explain that a professional senior caregiver can help prevent future hospitalizations and help them stay independent for much longer.

Visiting Angels of Boulder County is a leading provider of non-medical home care solutions for seniors. To learn more about the in-home assisted living services provided by our staff of compassionate caregivers, please call our Longmont office at (303) 828-2664 or contact us for more information.

Visiting Angels proudly serves Allenspark, Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Erie, Hygiene, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Pinecliff, Ward, and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, CO.