Senior Care is Important During Cold Winter Weather

Uncategorized  |  October 23, 2017

The steps to winter preparation vary from year to year. Though the predictions can be helpful, it is smart to prepare for the worse. It is even more important to ensure that aging loved ones are prepared. A senior care routine is crucial, as it helps everyone to align a plan for proper care of elderly family.

In preparing for harsh winter weather, there are little things to be done that can make the season as comfortable as possible for older adults. Keep in mind, seniors will need more assistance in the event of ice or winter storms. To prevent the onset of panic, early preparation and a clear understanding of the plan will alleviate stress when winter storms arrive.

Here are a few senior care tips when preparing for winter:

• Heating Equipment Maintenance – prior to the arrival of cold weather, schedule professional maintenance checks of all home heating elements. This ensures that all heaters and other mechanisms are in proper working order. It helps to prevent hazardous incidents and to ensure that loved ones will be warm when the weather turns cold.

• Seasonal Attire – make sure that aging adults have proper winter clothing. Many times, seniors will assume that the winter coat they’ve had for the past ten years will work for harsh winter weather. This may be true, but always check their winter garments to make certain they will provide warmth and are in good condition. Remember to add scarves, warm hats, gloves and appropriate undergarments for extremely cold weather.

• Power Outage Preparation – winter storms can activate a power outage that lasts for a few hours or a few days. Help seniors to prepare by creating a rescue box that is filled with the essentials. Warm clothes, edible can goods and water, flashlights with extra batteries and a weather radio. A fully charged, disposable cell phone would be a good idea as well. In addition, establish a plan to transport the older adult to a warm place if the power is out for too long. A senior care professional can check on them and enlist the help of others if there is an emergency, or the senior needs to be moved to another location.

It is essential to keep older adults comfortable and calm during winter storms. The last thing you want is to cause unnecessary stress, which could aggravate current medical conditions or cause new ones. Proper preparation is the best tool to help everyone be prepared. If you would like to inquire about our senior care services and the different ways it can serve your loved one, contact us today at (613) 707-9035.

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