Winter is often a particularly challenging time for seniors, especially those who require in-home care,rehab and post-op, or medication management. Capital City Nurses provides a safe home environment for your elderly loved ones, including Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, during the winter months.  

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‍How Does Winter Impact the Health of Seniors?

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Winter impacts the health of seniors physically, mentally, and emotionally. Snow and ice can make it more likely they’ll fall, leading to bone breaks and serious injuries.  Seniors are often more isolated, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and mood swings.

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10Tips to Help Seniors Stay Safe in The Winter

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The following tips can help seniors stay safe during the winter.

1. Dress for the Weather: Many seniors run colder because of a loss of metabolic rate, which makes it harder for their bodies to maintain the optimal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Prevent Snow-Related Injuries: Seniors are more likely to suffer critical injuries, such as broken bones, if they suffer falls from snow and ice.

3. Winterize the Home: Make sure their homes are properly insulated to keep the cold out and the warmth in. This includes proper insulation throughout the home and making sure there are no air gaps between doors and windows.

4. Stay Warm Inside: Let younger family members and others handle any tasks outside, including removing snow and ice from driveways, taking out garbage, and retrieving mail.

5. Take Stock of Your Medications: If the supply is starting to run low, be sure to notify the senior’s physician right away and be sure to refill those medications immediately so that your senior family member stays supplied throughout the winter.

6. Make Sure You Check Up On Your Loved Ones: It is essential that you ensure your loved ones are handling the winter as well as possible in terms of their physical, mental, and emotional health.  

7. Wear Ice Traction Cleats for Small Walks: For those who must venture outside during the winter months, it is important for seniors to wear ice traction cleats to minimize the chances of falling because of snow and ice.

8. Continue COVID-19 Safety Protocols: Washing one’s hands frequently, wearing protective masks as needed, and ensuring immunization shots are up-to-date can help seniors remain healthy throughout the winter months.

9. Take Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements: Seniors need plenty of vitamin D to help prevent the onset of osteoporosis (weakness of bone and greater likelihood of fractures), while calcium helps the body to absorb that vitamin D.
   

10. Have an Emergency Plan in Place: If a situation arises where the senior needs immediate medical attention, be sure you know exactly what to do to get him or her that critical attention as quickly as possible.

‍How Do Caregivers at Capital City Nurses Take Care of Seniors in Winter?

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Our home health care agency can help seniors with depression management by promoting good senior brain health and providing emotional support and proper nutrition through our senior companion program. Seniors often fare better when they are able to spend quality time with other people in their own age group.  Capital City Nurses provides this caring environment to help promote seniors’ good health and well-being throughout the winter months.