Taking Care of the Elderly And The Winter

Taking Care of the Elderly And The Winter : Every kid in the country loves a “snow day” when the weather gets bad. They can stay home from school, slope down the local hills, and build snowmen with their friends on a snow day. But bad weather isn’t fun for the elderly. In fact, ice & snow pose real dangers to older people across the country. The risk increases both inside and outside their homes.

This article provides information on what you can do to make older people’s life safer during cold weather.

Avoid slips and falls

Slips & falls are devastating to everybody, especially older people with their brittle bones. They can cause bruises, fractures, and other injuries. On the other hand, a sudden slip and fall may affect the self-confidence of the older adult and last much longer than the physical injury. But there are many steps to take in order to lower the risk of slips and falls.

Using salt to remove snow and ice from steps and paths. Using warm water to melt the ice isn’t a good thing. Ice will just come back later and become even more dangerous.
Don’t go out if it’s not required to do so. If a family member can do the shopping for you or get home deliveries for the essentials, you will be significantly reducing your risk.
Use e-prescriptions to get your medications delivered to the doorstep. If there is any doubt, your GP or local pharmacy can subscribe you to their online service.
Wear protective footwear. In fact, your shoes should have a good grip on the sole and strong support around the foot. They should be well-fitting too.
If you have a walking stick, consider using it in bad weather. If you don’t have one, you should get one. The stick should be appropriate for the weather conditions. If you are unsure, you can visit a mobility shop and get advice.
If it’s cold outside and slippery, get someone to accompany you when leaving the house.

Find out more about help with mobility.

Keeping the heating on

Older folks with low income worry about having to pay exorbitant heating bills. Hence, they always try hard to minimize energy usage even in colder weather. If you have a relative in such a position, you should visit them regularly and make sure they are warm enough.

Check:

They don’t heat or light unused rooms
They get the insulation grants that they are entitled to – their homes are as efficient as possible
They have smoke and CO2 alarm in working condition with adequate battery life
If they use portable heaters, they should be safe and without any risk of fire or burning
The central heating operates properly and comes on at the right times. The thermostat should be at the right temperature
They have received their Winter Fuel Payment – between £100 and £300 tax-free to help pay for heating
They usually qualify for the Cold Weather Payment in case there is a cold spell between the beginning of November & the end of March – where the temperature will stay below 2 degrees C

Wear plenty of layers of clothing

Wearing plenty of layers of clothing rather than one thick one helps keep us warm. Your elderly adult should do just that. If they require support to get dressed, you can help them, which is more important during cold weather than normal weather. They can put on loose-fitting single layers of clothing in the summer, but they cannot handle lots of tight-fitting layers of clothing during the colder months.

Maintain a healthy and balanced diet

People require a balanced diet all year round. But when the weather is cold, our body uses a lot of calories in order to keep us warm. You should have smaller but more regular meals during such times. For example, you may easily prepare a tin of soup, but getting something warmer and a well-balanced meal may require little effort.

It’s a good idea to have microwave meals in the freezer. It helps you to have a tasty warm meal in case supplies cannot get in.

Keep company during cold weather

The weather can become too bad to get out at times. In fact, dark and short winter days can become lonely for the elderly. You should pay a visit and keep company for them to feel okay. Playing a game or just watching TV with them will help. If you can’t visit them as much as you want to, a care worker will provide the required companionship in order for them to get through the winter months.

The aforementioned article provides information on what you can do to make older people’s life safer during cold weather.