To protect senior loved ones from certain illnesses, families providing home care may need to take the weather into consideration. As the climate grows colder in the winter season, it’s especially important to keep your elderly loved one warm to prevent weather-related health conditions such as the flu. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to do this.
Ensure Warm Clothing Is Worn when Outdoors
When your loved one goes out in cold weather, make sure he or she wears a hat, a scarf, and a pair of gloves or mittens. A hat can prevent body heat from escaping through the top of the head, a scarf can provide a barrier between the cold air and the lungs, and mittens or gloves can protect the fingers.
Check for Drafts in the House
Doors and windows are an invitation for drafts, especially in older homes. Use a sealant to close gaps around the windows and place a pillow or socks filled with sand in front of doors to stop chilly air from seeping in underneath. If your loved one can afford to do so, make arrangements to replace old or warped doors and windows.
Hiring a professional caregiver is another way to ensure your loved one stays warm and receives help with everyday tasks during the cold winter season. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of home care Phoenix seniors can depend on.
Encourage Proper Nutrition
Body fat can act as insulation from the cold. Older adults tend to burn more calories in the winter than in the summer, making them vulnerable to weight loss. Encourage your loved one to eat three healthy meals per day, and make sure he or she has healthy snacks like protein bars and nutritional shakes available. If your loved one has difficulty cooking, you can sign him or her up for a program like Meals on Wheels, provide frozen dinners that can be easily prepared in a microwave, or hire a professional to help with meal prep.
Older adults who need help preparing nutritious meals, exercising, and managing other daily activities can benefit from professional in-home care. Senior care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
Talk to the Gas & Electric Company
Some seniors living on fixed incomes can’t afford to pay expensive heating bills, while others with memory-related conditions may even forget to pay their bills, which puts them at risk of having their power shut off. Ask your loved one to list you as an alternate contact with the gas and electric company. They’ll notify you if your loved one is at risk for having his or her heat turned off, giving you time to intervene.
The winter season makes seniors susceptible to joint pains and other health concerns that can make it difficult for them to manage everyday activities. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading Phoenix senior home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us today.
