During the winter months, effective senior safety needs to take a slightly different approach. Keeping warm is a priority, and this is true even in temperate climates like San Francisco. To combat issues with the temperature, there are a few safety measures that can be taken, such as making sure that gas and electric bills are always taken care of. Also, you may want to see if there are any state sponsored programs that can help with bills. These are usually for lower income individuals. However, there are other organizations that will help offset elevated winter costs, too. Contacting nonprofit groups that work with veterans and those with disabilities can be a good place to start, if your elderly loved one fits the criteria.
This is just one area that needs attention, though. Having someone checking up on them once in a while is always smart, even if they are in spectacular health. Winter elder care is as much about prevention and early detection as it is about treatment. When you have an elderly loved one that has a disability or trouble getting around the house, care is needed on a daily basis. Having a professional in-home caregiver is one of the best ways to approach this. They are thoroughly trained to look for the warning signs of problems, and will know what to do if something does come up. A caregiver from a service makes for a better overall quality of care than a random person that calls themselves a caregiver for this reason–amongst others. They will have the knowledge and the background to be able to quickly tell if a problem with senior health during the winter months. And if something happens, they can give you the best course of action for you to take.
If snow is a reality where you live–and it is for most of the country–then there are other things to consider, too. Safe walking can be accomplished with high quality rubber soled boots. Making sure walkways and driveways are cleared of snow and ice can reduce the odds of a slip and fall and make travel safe in the event that an emergency comes up and they need to get somewhere quickly. Either pay someone to come and plough out what they can, or shovel it yourself for your mom or dad. If they already live with you, this becomes a lot easier. Ice can also melt snow faster and cut down on ice.
Finally, during your regular visits make sure that their house is always stocked with food and that medications are current and that there’s enough of them. Travel can become harder during the winter, and it can be intimidating to leave the house for errands, even for able bodied people. By helping them with these things, you can save them the trip. The positive effects of this should be obvious here. Little things like this are a great way to help with your parent’s care, and it is also an easy way to show them that you love them and spend some time with them, too.
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