Winter can be a difficult period for older adults, who may find that their physical and mental health is affected. However, you can stay one step ahead of the winter chills with our cold advice for the elderly.
From the excitement of Christmas to the novelty of enjoying a warm drink in a snug home, there are a lot of reasons to be excited about winter. However, the icy conditions also mean that older adults need to stay on guard for things like slippery surfaces and cold-related illnesses. Looking to enjoy a stress-free winter? Here are some of the best winter safety tips for the elderly:
Winter advice for the elderly:
- Keep a steady temperature in your home
- Stay stocked with cold and flu remedies
- Be wary of frozen paths
- Stay wrapped up
- Stay active to avoid the winter blues
- Be careful when driving
Keep a steady temperature in your home
During winter, your home should be a snug and warm sanctuary from the cold. If you live in a cold home, you are more likely to see a sudden drop in your body temperature, as well as cold-related illnesses like hypothermia. With this in mind, start by setting a steady temperature of 21 across your home, and 18c in your bedroom. To make sure you get the most out of your heating, be sure to keep your doors closed and draught-proof your home!
Stay stocked with cold and flu remedies
As temperatures get lower, winter is the time where your body becomes most vulnerable to colds and flus. While it’s difficult to avoid illness completely, you can at least be prepared in case you catch something! In the run-up to winter, head out in search of cold and flu medicines, nasal spray, and maybe even the ingredients for a warm chicken soup!
Be wary of frozen paths
The arrival of winter often means that your once reliable walking paths turn into icy fall hazards. This is especially true for older adults, who are more prone to bone fractures or bruising! Outside of your home, you can turn to a handyman to make your walkways more safe and frost-free. While you’re out and about, it also pays to be extra wary of a frozen leaf or pavement, or use the clue of snowy footprints to follow a path that someone else has already taken!
Stay wrapped up
Whether you’re going out to meet friends and family, or doing your weekly groceries, it’s impossible to avoid the cold forever. But what you can do is ensure you stay bundled up in warm clothes whenever you do decide to leave your home! As well as wrapping yourself up in plenty of layers, you should make sure you have a pair of gloves, a scarf and a wooly hat in your winter wardrobe.
Stay active to avoid the winter blues
As the days get darker and the nights get colder, it can be tempting to withdraw into your home to avoid the chill of winter. However, isolating yourself will only make it more difficult to overcome the long winter months. Always find time for a cup of tea or short walk with friends or family, and turn your home into the new social hub if you really can’t stand the cold. Joining a gym or visiting an indoor swimming pool is another great way to keep yourself active and connected away from the cold.
Be careful when driving
With frosty roads and potential snowfall, driving a car during winter can be dangerous unless you take the right precautions. Before you hit the road, make sure to take your car in for a check-up to make sure everything is in working condition - good tires are a necessity, while your car lights will ensure you can see everything when it gets dark. Want to avoid the hassle of driving altogether? Turn to your nearest public transport!
Heating your home is more costly than ever, but you can avoid the surging price of energy bills with a Churchill Retirement apartment! With high-quality insulation and a service charge that includes energy bills, you can stay warm without worrying about the cost of your heating!