The winter months can be especially difficult and dangerous for older adults. There are additional hazards, like snow, ice, and cold that make falls and injuries more likely when the senior goes outside. That can mean they stay indoors, stuck at home by themselves. In addition, the need to heat the home can make fires and carbon monoxide poisoning possible. If your aging relative needs some help at home, winter can be a perfect time to contact a home care agency. Below are just 4 things a home care provider can help with this winter.
#1: Getting Out of the House
Many older adults who live alone are stuck in the house during the winter. Even if they still drive, they may be uncomfortable doing so in cold and snowy weather. Home care providers can drive the senior to the places they need to go, including medical appointments, the pharmacy, their place of worship, or even to visit friends. A home care provider can even accompany them into the building to ensure they get safely across the parking lot or driveway.
#2: Preventing Slips and Falls
With the cold weather comes icy or slippery patches on sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. Older adults are already at a higher risk for falling than younger people even under better circumstances, but ice and snow increase the risk. Home care providers can walk with the older adult, helping them to avoid slippery spots and steadying them while they walk.
#3: Fire Safety
FEMA says that fires due to home heating are more common during December, January, and February. Home care providers can help your aging relative to avoid a home fire by ensuring they use heating equipment safely. For example, if the senior uses a space heater, a home care provider can make sure they are not using an extension cord or putting the heater where it could tip over. In addition, a home care provider can help the older adult to schedule annual maintenance of their furnace.
#4: Preventing Hypothermia
Seniors are at an increased for hypothermia because of age-related changes to their bodies that make them less sensitive to feeling cold. In fact, it’s possible for seniors to suffer from hypothermia when they are inside. Many older adults turn their heat down to reduce costs and don’t realize the home is too cold. Having a home care provider visit on a regular basis can ensure the house isn’t too cold. This can be especially important on very cold days when seniors should be checked on to ensure their safety.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/By-topic/Holidays/Put-a-freeze-on-winter-fires/2018/WinterFreezeInfographic.ashx?la=en
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hypothermia-older-adults-0
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HOME CARE IN RIVER NORTH, IL FOR AN AGING LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.
#1: Getting Out of the House
Many older adults who live alone are stuck in the house during the winter. Even if they still drive, they may be uncomfortable doing so in cold and snowy weather. Home care providers can drive the senior to the places they need to go, including medical appointments, the pharmacy, their place of worship, or even to visit friends. A home care provider can even accompany them into the building to ensure they get safely across the parking lot or driveway.
#2: Preventing Slips and Falls
With the cold weather comes icy or slippery patches on sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. Older adults are already at a higher risk for falling than younger people even under better circumstances, but ice and snow increase the risk. Home care providers can walk with the older adult, helping them to avoid slippery spots and steadying them while they walk.
#3: Fire Safety
FEMA says that fires due to home heating are more common during December, January, and February. Home care providers can help your aging relative to avoid a home fire by ensuring they use heating equipment safely. For example, if the senior uses a space heater, a home care provider can make sure they are not using an extension cord or putting the heater where it could tip over. In addition, a home care provider can help the older adult to schedule annual maintenance of their furnace.
#4: Preventing Hypothermia
Seniors are at an increased for hypothermia because of age-related changes to their bodies that make them less sensitive to feeling cold. In fact, it’s possible for seniors to suffer from hypothermia when they are inside. Many older adults turn their heat down to reduce costs and don’t realize the home is too cold. Having a home care provider visit on a regular basis can ensure the house isn’t too cold. This can be especially important on very cold days when seniors should be checked on to ensure their safety.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/By-topic/Holidays/Put-a-freeze-on-winter-fires/2018/WinterFreezeInfographic.ashx?la=en
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hypothermia-older-adults-0
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HOME CARE IN RIVER NORTH, IL FOR AN AGING LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.