Home Care Services and Winter Precautions for Seniors in Calgary, AB

Home Care Blog  |  October 27, 2017

Seasonal Precautions for Seniors this Winter

Winter Precautions for Seniors | Now that the warm summer days are behind us, it’s time for older adults to prepare for the winter months. By doing so, they can prevent common winter hazards and ensure an enjoyable season despite the ice, snow, and cold temperatures.

Here are several tips from providers of home care services that can help senior citizens stay safe and comfortable all winter long:

Dress Warm

While dressing warm during the winter may seem obvious, too many seniors fail to do so and suffer from frostbite and hypothermia as a result. To prevent these serious conditions, older adults should always wear a heavy winter coat as well as a hat, gloves, scarf and warm socks. Dressing warm can ensure that a senior’s body temperature never drops below 95 degrees.

Consume a Vitamin D Filled Diet

In the summer, most senior citizens get enough vitamin D because they are constantly outside in the sun. To make sure that they continue getting the vitamin D they need to build strong bones in the winter, older adults must fill their diet with foods that are fortified in Vitamin D. Some of these foods include tuna, salmon, mackerel, milk, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks.

Seniors who are committed to living a safe and fulfilling life this winter should be extra cautious when they are around icy roads, dress warm, stay social to avoid depression, prepare for power outages, and consume a diet that’s full of vitamin D.

Be Extra Cautious on Ice

All too often, senior citizens slip and fall on roads and sidewalks that are loaded with ice and snow. These falls typically lead to serious injuries such as head trauma, lacerations, and wrist and hip fractures. While younger individuals can recover from these injuries quickly, seniors can take months and even years to get over them. In some cases, these injuries can even take an older adult’s life.

The good news is there are certain safety precautions older adults can take to reduce their risk of slipping, falling, and severely injuring themselves. Wearing comfortable shoes with non-skid soles and good traction, staying inside on days where the roadways are full of ice and snow, and removing shoes every time they return indoors can keep a senior safe from the snow and ice. Home care services can help with clearing snow and ice so that seniors can safely get outside in the winter. It’s also a good idea to have a caregiver accompany your senior loved one on shopping trips or running errands.

Avoid Winter Depression

Due to the fact that it can be challenging and dangerous to get from point A to point B in the winter, many older adults stay away from social activities and spend a significant amount of time at home during the winter months. When they do so, they often face feelings and isolation.

In order to avoid winter depression, older adults should arrange a daily check in with a trustworthy family member or friend, search for dependable transportation options, and make it a priority to stay informed on family outings and other social activities.

Prepare for Power Outages

Winter snowstorms may leave senior citizens with no power. To prepare for power outages, older adults should make sure they have easy access to flashlights, warm blankets, and a battery-powered radio. In the event that the power does go out, they should dress themselves in a few layers of clothing and move around their home to increase their body temperature.

If your senior loved one in Calgary, AB needs a little extra help dealing with the winter cold and snow call use today to find out more about home care services and how they can help seniors stay safe and happy at home during the winter.

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