Winter Safety 101 for Your Elderly Loved One
Cold weather can have a negative impact on people of all ages, especially the elderly population. It can cause slippery walkways, disrupt home environments, and make it difficult for people to get around safely indoors and outdoors. You and the senior care providers can do many things to help your elderly loved one get safely through winter. Begin by reading the tips today.
Furnace Inspection
It is important to have the furnace inspected in your elderly loved one’s home. This can help make sure your loved one’s furnace is functioning properly, thus keeping them warm in the winter. It can also make sure that there are no cracks or leaks that could cause carbon monoxide to creep into your elderly loved one’s house.
Test the Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms
Another thing you really need to do is test the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your elderly loved one’s home. Studies show that working and properly installed smoke alarms can save lives. In addition, a working smoke alarm will alert your elderly loved one, so they have the time they need to escape their home in a safe manner.
Take Care of the Faucets Outdoors
Any plumber can tell you how much trouble a frozen pipe can cause a person in the winter. It is truly the last thing anyone wants to deal with on a freezing cold day. In most cases, an elderly person isn’t capable of caring for their outdoor faucets. If this is the case for your elderly loved one, try calling a plumber or finding a friend who can help with this type of task. You might also be able to find videos online that can show you how to drain outdoor faucets to ensure none of the pipes freeze in your elderly loved one’s home.
Removing Snow and Ice
It is important to think about how you will remove the snow and ice off your elderly loved one’s walkways and driveways. Many studies show that falls remain one of the leading causes of injuries for the elderly population. Frozen walkways can create an unsafe platform for your elderly loved one. This is why it is essential to create a plan for removing snow and ice. Consider hiring a company to come in after snowstorms or make sure to plan time in your winter schedule for snow and ice clean up.
Conclusion
Winter can bring cold, ice, and snow. It can cause problems for people of all ages, especially the elderly. As a family caregiver, you can use these winter safety tips to help with the care of your elderly loved one this winter.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Media PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Sources
https://www.safety.com/7-winter-home-safety-tips-for-seniors/
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