Tips to Help Senior Home Care Patients Battle Winter’s Cold

With the holidays in the rear view mirror, Minnesotans are left to face winter’s cold gritting teeth. For some, this weather means snowmobiling, skiing, and other fun outdoor activities but for others, January’s frigid temperatures can be downright dangerous or even deadly. This time of year, our immune systems tend to struggle and the risk of sickness greatly increases. Combine this with hazardous and icy environments and it’s amazing that anyone has the guts to face a Minnesota winter!

Because of their age, senior home care patients are especially susceptible to sickness or injury due to the cold. Slips, falls, the flu, and hypothermia, are just some of the risks that seniors face when cold weather sets in. While it’s wise for senior home health care patients to stay indoors as much as possible during these months, there will be times when they need to go outdoors and face the elements.

Personal care assistants and family caregivers that provide in home care for seniors should always ensure that their patient remains comfortable and safe in any season. Below are tips to help seniors stay warm indoors and avoid falls outdoors this winter:

Indoors:

• Set thermostat to 65 degrees or higher and monitor it to make sure their home is staying warm.
• To reduce cold drafts, weatherproof all windows with plastic, close doors to unused rooms, and close curtains at night.
• Add blankets to the patient’s bed but don’t use a heating blanket as it may be difficult to adjust at night.

Outdoors:

• Choose shoes with non-skid soles that are designed to provide traction on ice
• Replace worn rubber tips on canes and walkers
• Always wear extra layers and a hat to cover the patient’s head

Even though this cold weather can be hazardous for the elderly, taking the proper precautions both indoors and out will help seniors stay healthy and enjoy these winter months. Contact Best Home Care for more tips on keeping senior home care patients warm this winter or to find resources for PCAs providing home care for seniors.