Winter Safety Tips for Seniors
Many of us look forward to the cold winter days so we can break out the warm sweaters, cups of hot cocoa, and sit by a roaring fire. However, for seniors, winter weather can pose a risk of injury and illness due to the cold and ice.
Elderly Care in Mason OH: Winter Senior Safety Tips
Below are some tips to help seniors stay safe during the winter months.
~Prevent Falls~
The snow and ice make the threat of falling even greater for older adults. Take some of the following precautions to prevent falls:
-Clear stairs and walkways of ice and snow. Shovel and scrape walkways. Use a melting agent to get rid of the ice.
-Watch for patches of sidewalk that appear wet—it could be slick ice, and not water.
-Replace the rubber tip on the senior’s cane to give them a better grip. You may even want to consider purchasing an attachment for the tip that works like an ice pick.
-Make sure your aging family member has good boots or shoes with good traction.
-Remove wet, snowy shoes upon coming indoors. The snow and ice stuck to the bottoms of them can cause seniors to slip.
~Bundle Up~
The cold weather puts seniors at risk for hypothermia, a condition in which the body temperature drops too low. Older adults lose body heat more easily than younger people, so it’s important for them to dress appropriately. To prevent hypothermia:
-Dress the older adult in layers of loose-fitting clothing. Use a scarf to protect lungs from cold air. Make sure hands and ears are covered, too.
-Keep clothing dry since wet clothes drain heat away from the body more quickly.
-When it’s extremely cold outside, keep older adults indoors.’
~Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning~
The space heaters and fireplaces people use during the winter can raise the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the senior’s home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors and that they have fresh batteries. If the older adult uses a kerosene stove, it’s a good idea to open a window a crack to provide ventilation. Also, make sure that space heaters are a safe distance from flammable items, like curtains and bed covers. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord.
Home caregivers can also help keep older adults safe during the winter months. When a home caregiver stops at a senior’s home daily, they can make sure the house is staying warm enough. Home caregivers can also make certain walkways and steps are kept clear of ice and snow. And, if the older adult has a medical appointment or other outing planned, a home caregiver can make sure they have dressed appropriately for the weather and wearing the right footwear.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring elderly care in Mason, OH, please contact the caring staff at Queen City Elder Care today. Serving Cincinnati and Surrounding Communities. Call Us Today (513) 510-4410.
Sources:
http://www.healthinaging.org/resources/resource:winter-safety-tips-for-older-adults/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults
Michele Vollmer is a visionary leader who is perpetually searching for ways to improve, so to remain at the leading edge of the home care industry.She has served in the healthcare industry since 1989, including pharmaceutical and home health sales, as well as hospice sales and sales management.
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