Depending on where you live, the weather outside can get pretty frightful during the winter months. Plunging temperatures, snow and ice can pose problems both indoors and out, and older adults are often at a higher risk for injuries and weather-related health issues.
Minimize cold-weather dangers simply by being prepared. These winter safety tips for seniors, along with a little planning and attention to your surroundings, can help ensure you and your loved ones are safe and sound throughout the season.
Identify Safety Concerns and Find Solutions
One of the best ways to start implementing winter safety tips for seniors is by examining your or your loved one’s activities to see if any may be dangerous given seasonal conditions. Being mindful of your actions then identifying solutions can help keep you safe and protect you from unnecessary harm so that you can enjoy the holidays with friends and family.
Prevent Slips and Falls
Seniors are most prone to injury from a slip or fall. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for adults who are age 65 and older. Snow and ice compound the problem, making even a simple walk to the mailbox treacherous. When it comes to fall safety tips for elderly, the best protection is to stay indoors when sidewalks and roads are covered. If you must venture out, wear shoes or boots with good traction, stay on walkways that have been cleared and treated with salt, and use handrails or a cane for added stability. Once back inside, remove shoes right away to prevent melted snow from creating slippery conditions inside.
Avoid Shoveling Snow
Although Old Man Winter may bring beautiful scenery, it can be difficult to deal with as it often requires shoveling – a job everyone loves to hate – to clear sidewalks and driveways. For older adults, it may be best left to someone else. Data from the Cleveland Clinic shows that shoveling snow sends more than 11,000 people to the hospital each year. If you have problems with balance or osteoporosis, shoveling can be especially hazardous, but it can also cause orthopedic injury, trigger a heart attack or even put strain on your heart, forcing it to work harder to keep you warm. Don’t hesitate to enlist help. If you absolutely must shovel, work in short shifts, don’t overload the shovel with heavy snow and dress in warm layers to protect yourself from the elements.
Bundle Up to Stay Warm
Frigid temperatures can be more than unbearable – they can be downright dangerous. It goes without saying that, if you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, one of the best winter safety tips for seniors is to dress warmly in a heavy coat, hat, scarf, gloves, warm socks and boots. Without the proper attire, you risk frostbite to exposed skin and an unsafe drop in body temperature, known as hypothermia. As older adults are at a higher risk of hypothermia due to aging, your best bet is to stay indoors, keep the inside temperature at 65 degrees or warmer and limit outside exposure.
Be Careful Driving in Winter Weather
When it comes to winter driving, it’s always a good idea to be prepared with safe driving tips for winter. Have your vehicle serviced and winterized so it’s ready for less-than-optimal driving conditions and be sure to check the oil, antifreeze, tires, battery and wipers. If you have snow tires, add them into the rotation. Assemble an emergency kit to keep in the trunk with basic supplies, such as blankets, jumper cables, a windshield scraper, small shovel, rock salt or cat litter (for tire traction if you get stuck), water and non-perishable food, a flashlight and first aid kit. If you must drive in winter, be especially careful on overpasses, bridges and ramps, which tend to freeze before roads. Consider taking an alternate route to avoid roads that haven’t been cleared. Always take your cellphone so you can reach out for help in an emergency or ensure you have a senior travel companion with you.
Manage Your Home Heating
The best place to be on a cold, snowy day is in the warm comfort of your own home. Older adults come from a generation that’s familiar with, and often prefers, the use of alternate heat sources like fireplaces, gas heaters and wood stoves, although these sources can be hazardous if not safely managed. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating is the second-leading cause of house fires. Before you fire up your heating devices for the season, make sure they’re properly maintained, cleaned and vented. If not, you run the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that can’t be seen or smelled. Make sure you have both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, and test the batteries frequently. If you’re using a space heater, be sure to keep it at least three feet away from anything that could burn.
Create an Emergency Plan
One of the best ways to ensure you stay safe during the wintertime is to create a plan that can be enacted in case of emergency. This can cover a range of things, from the safest path out of the house to what to bring with you if you need to leave.
Start by assessing your needs and signing up for weather alerts so that you know ahead of time if you might be impacted by winter weather. Read past news articles or talk to neighbors to learn about what is typical in the area. Develop a support network that you can call for help, whether it’s friends, family, neighbors or a FirstLight Home Care professional, and make sure they have a key to your house. Create a kit with water, food, first aid kit, map, personal documents, phone charger, whistler, batteries and other necessities.
Plus, one of the best winter safety tips for seniors is to inform your loved ones of your plan, your medical needs and where you keep your pre-packed emergency kit.
Enlist the Help of a Caregiver
The best tip for staying safe during the cold winter months is to ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s assistance with snow removal, a ride to the grocery store or doctor’s appointment, or help arranging a service technician for your car or home heating device, you don’t have to tackle these tasks on your own. FirstLight’s in-home senior care can help. With awareness and pre-planning, seniors can safely maintain their independence, no matter what challenges winter throws their way.
We have experience with these winter safety tips for seniors and so much more. Reach out today to get your own personalized quote or call 844-879-7300 to talk with your local FirstLight team about your options.