Winter can be an especially challenging time for seniors. Here are 8 easy tips to help older adults stay safe and warm during the cold winter months.
1. Use space heaters with caution
The allure of a space heater can be hard to resist. But these devices are the cause of a majority of fatal house fires. Choose a heater with safety features including auto shut-off and keep the area around it free from clutter.
2. Eat a healthy winter diet
Older adults spend more time indoors during the winter months, which can lead to a Vitamin D deficiency. To reduce this risk, eat a wintertime diet rich with milk, orange juice, cheese, egg yolks, grains, and seafood. And stay hydrated! Drink lots of water, broth, and other healthy liquids.
3. Take fall precautions
Falls are common among older adults and can lead to more serious health complications. Seniors should wear shoes with non-skid soles that offer the necessary amount of traction for winter conditions. Wear slippers with bottom traction when indoors.
Avoid going outside until snow and ice have been cleared from walkways and avoid going out after dark when re-freezing is more likely to occur. Wipe the feet of walking devices such as walkers and canes to prevent moisture from coming indoors.
4. Keep moving
Colder weather often keeps elders indoors and inactive which can lead to muscle loss, depression, and increased fall risk. Get up and walk around your home several times each day. Practice light chair exercises such as leg lifts, sit-to-stands, and using light arm weights (soup cans will work). These light activities will go a long way to keeping fitter (and warmer) during winter months.
5. Keep your kitchen and medicines stocked
Winter weather can make it difficult to get to the grocery store, and it could even prevent meals from being delivered to your home.
It’s important to keep your kitchen stocked with at least one week’s worth of food and water. There should also be an abundance of non-perishable food that does not require any cooking or refrigeration in case you lose power. Make sure to have a manual can opener available in case of outages.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you have an adequate supply of your prescriptions and over-the-counter meds before a storm hits.
6. Keep warm at home
Older adults lose body heat much more quickly than younger people. Hypothermia can happen right in the safety of your home and sets in gradually so often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. See inset for tips for staying warm at home.
7. Keep an emergency kit
It’s a good idea to keep a winter emergency kit on hand in case a power outage causes you to lose heat or lights. At minimum, include a flashlight and radio with extra batteries, hand warmers, first aid supplies, and a lighter. And make sure someone close to you has an extra key to your home.
8. Stay connected
Winter is a time for seasonal depression, thanks to fewer daylight hours and decreased social interaction. Depression can cause malnutrition and affect your mental health.
During winter months, take advantage of opportunities to stay connected with friends and family, as social interaction has been shown to combat depression.
Set up a daily check-in time with a friend or family member, or even consider some senior-friendly video calling technology.
