The elderly are more susceptible to the cold because their bodies are less able to retain heat and distribute it effectively as they age. Hypothermia, cardiac stress, high blood pressure, and liver damage are all possible outcomes of prolonged exposure to cold for your older relative.
We've compiled some tips for keeping your elderly or infirm loved ones toasty this winter as the season approaches. Read on to find out what you (and they) can do.
We've compiled some tips for keeping your elderly or infirm loved ones toasty this winter as the season approaches. Read on to find out what you (and they) can do.
How To Take Care Of Older Loved Ones During Winter
Keep The House Warm
During the winter, it's important to keep your relative's house protected from the cold as much as possible. Make sure the boiler has been serviced, and important center heating repair work has been done. Also, check that the radiators are in good shape before winter.
Get draft excluders to put under doors and reseal doors and windows to keep cold air from coming in. To make sure your elderly relative's home is as energy-efficient as possible, you could buy wall and loft insulation or double glazing to keep heat from escaping.
When it's cold, open the curtains during the day to let the sun in and close them when it gets dark to keep the heat in. You should also close the doors to rooms you aren't using to keep heat in places that need it most.
Make Sure They Have A Cell Phone
In an emergency, a cell phone can be a lifeline, and this is perhaps especially true in the winter when there are more hazards around. Make sure that older people always have a charged phone with them so they can call family, caregivers, or emergency services if they need to. You can also program the phone with important numbers and show them how to use the voice assistant to make dialing easier. Depending on how tech-savvy they are, wearable devices that can detect falls and pulses can also help in an emergency.
During the winter, it's important to keep your relative's house protected from the cold as much as possible. Make sure the boiler has been serviced, and important center heating repair work has been done. Also, check that the radiators are in good shape before winter.
Get draft excluders to put under doors and reseal doors and windows to keep cold air from coming in. To make sure your elderly relative's home is as energy-efficient as possible, you could buy wall and loft insulation or double glazing to keep heat from escaping.
When it's cold, open the curtains during the day to let the sun in and close them when it gets dark to keep the heat in. You should also close the doors to rooms you aren't using to keep heat in places that need it most.
Make Sure They Have A Cell Phone
In an emergency, a cell phone can be a lifeline, and this is perhaps especially true in the winter when there are more hazards around. Make sure that older people always have a charged phone with them so they can call family, caregivers, or emergency services if they need to. You can also program the phone with important numbers and show them how to use the voice assistant to make dialing easier. Depending on how tech-savvy they are, wearable devices that can detect falls and pulses can also help in an emergency.
Check Their Clothing
When it gets cold, the clothes older people wear are a big part of how warm they stay. Make sure your older loved one wears warm layers, like vests and thermals, that can be easily taken off if they get too hot when it's very cold.
Make sure your family member has gloves, a scarf, and a hat before going outside. People over 65 should change out of wet or damp clothes right away to avoid getting very cold or even hypothermia.
Socks and slippers are the best way to keep your feet warm. If you need more heat, you can put a blanket over your legs. If a family member is always cold, investing in electric blankets and hot water bottles can be a great way to keep them warmer at night.
Clear Hazards
Even though staying inside is safer in the winter, sometimes you have to go outside. But simple things like getting the mail can be dangerous in cold weather, especially if there is hidden ice. Older people should stay inside until the dangers have been taken care of. This could be done by salting the roads, shoveling the snow, or getting rid of the debris. Since these tasks can make you more likely to get hurt or have a medical event, a family member or a professional should do them.
When it gets cold, the clothes older people wear are a big part of how warm they stay. Make sure your older loved one wears warm layers, like vests and thermals, that can be easily taken off if they get too hot when it's very cold.
Make sure your family member has gloves, a scarf, and a hat before going outside. People over 65 should change out of wet or damp clothes right away to avoid getting very cold or even hypothermia.
Socks and slippers are the best way to keep your feet warm. If you need more heat, you can put a blanket over your legs. If a family member is always cold, investing in electric blankets and hot water bottles can be a great way to keep them warmer at night.
Clear Hazards
Even though staying inside is safer in the winter, sometimes you have to go outside. But simple things like getting the mail can be dangerous in cold weather, especially if there is hidden ice. Older people should stay inside until the dangers have been taken care of. This could be done by salting the roads, shoveling the snow, or getting rid of the debris. Since these tasks can make you more likely to get hurt or have a medical event, a family member or a professional should do them.
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