Winters in the northern states are notorious for their chill as the lake effect snow settles in from the west. With decreased temperatures and increased snowfall, the season can be particularly difficult for the aging population and those suffering from mobility issues. For elderly individuals living at home, Winters can be demanding and near impossible to keep up with, putting them at additional risk for slips, trips, falls, or other injury due to the inclement weather.
Luckily, there are many steps you can take to make this time of year easier if you are providing care for an aging family member. We want to make sure your loved ones stay safe and warm during the colder months, so we’ve compiled some of the most helpful tips here.
Snow Removal
Seniors still living at home often will try and maintain as much of their independence as possible. This includes snow removal. Let’s get this one out of the way now – it can be too heavy, it can be too risky, even for care companions, and it is generally not recommended for anyone over seventy. Shoveling the steps for the mailman or for company, or attempting to clear snow from the driveway, while a seemingly harmless task, can be quite dangerous. What could seem like a light snowfall can turn out to be heavy lifting, putting their health in danger and leading to a greater risk of slips, falls, even frostbite or hypothermia.
Care Companions can be a great resource for seniors when it comes to organizing snow removal. If your senior is willing, they can pay someone in the neighborhood to do the work for them. Neighboring teens and young adults are always willing to lend a hand if you give them a call. Or, if the snow is too much for everyone involved, your care companion can coordinate a snow removal service on their behalf. Whether a big name company in your community, or just an independent contractor, most allow you to pay for their services in advance. That way, when the bad weather comes, you’ve got a plan in place. Your care companion can either call them when you need them, or you can be added directly to their service route during bad weather, so you’ll never be missed or forgotten.
If you know that your aging family member is particularly keen on having the walk or driveway clear, be sure it’s completed on their behalf to avoid the risks associated with taking on the challenge yourselves.
Power Outage Preparation
If a big windstorm hits, or the weight of heavy snow takes its toll on your power lines, you run the risk of an outage. It’s important to make sure your senior is well-equipped should they need to spend some time without heat and/or electricity. Stock a kitchen drawer with the essentials: a flashlight, batteries, candles, matchsticks or a lighter. These are all good items to get you started. Access to gloves, a coat, and a few extra blankets is also essential. Should the power be out for more than a couple of hours, consider bringing your senior to a place or home with power and heat to warm up for some time.
If you’re not able to, respite care service providers like Daughter for Hire can check in on them on your behalf, ensuring their safety and keeping them as warm and comfortable as possible until power is restored.
General Home Preparedness
There are little things you can be doing to keep your aging loved one’s home (and your own!) prepared for the cooling temperatures. Program thermostats to remain at least 68 degrees throughout the day and night. Avoid space heaters that may cause a potential fire hazard or contribute to a potential power outage. Use draft stoppers along doors, or a rolled up towel or blanket to prevent cold air from coming from any gap between the floor and the door. Windows can be sealed with special plastic to prevent drafts and help improve your home’s heating efficiency through the Winter months. You should also make sure they’re dressing warmly. Encourage that they wear long johns or thermal undergarments under their regular clothes to help regulate body temperatures, and make sure heavy sweaters and blankets are readily available in case they need one throughout the day.
If your senior could use some assistance winterizing their home, check with local agencies in your region as there are several programs and incentives available to help reduce the cost of any potential investment that increases their home’s energy efficiency.
Handling Unavoidable Travel
While you can take advantage of delivery service for their prescriptions, groceries, and other necessities to avoid unnecessary travel, there are times when your aging loved one will have to head out in inclement weather – e.g. scheduled appointments and doctors’ visits – that just can’t be avoided. For times like these, it’s important they dress warmly with a hat, gloves, and heavy coat. Warm socks and good winter boots with the proper tread are also a must. Do your best to ensure they’re not staying outdoors in the cold temperatures longer than is necessary and consider starting your car to warm it up for them ahead of any planned travel. You can bring a blanket with you or keep an extra one in the car, should they get cold or you’re traveling longer than intended. If the weather is particularly bad, let others know you’re traveling and make sure that your own cell phone and/or theirs is properly charged in case you need to use it.
Help lessen the risk of potential chills, falls, or injury, and give yourself peace of mind during the inclement temperatures! If you need help caring for your loved ones during the Winter season, for when you’re not available to check in on them, or for times when you just can’t get there due to the wintry weather, we’re available!
If you are interested in learning more about the respite care services offered through Daughter for Hire, give us a call. Click here to select your location and talk with one of our representatives. You’ll learn how we can help you loved ones remain in place in the comfort of their own home. Our offices are open for scheduling, questions about our service, our care companions. We ‘ll provide information on how we can help you and your family.