The winter months are a difficult time for the elderly. The usual stresses of making trips to the grocery and eating healthily, getting to appointments, visiting with friends and family, and avoiding slips and falls become intensified as the weather and road conditions worsen. Ensuring the health of your aging loved one during this time of year can be difficult. This is especially worrisome if there is no one around to help with these tasks. The safety of seniors in winter needs special attention.
Enlisting the help of a home health aide is a good way to keep seniors safe during the winter. These healthcare professionals not only help with personal care, but can assist with much more. They can do everything from running errands, preparing healthy meals, providing safe transportation to appointments. Furthermore, they can simply offer some much needed companionship in the lonely, colder months. They can also do light housekeeping and ensure that the senior is warm and comfortable in their home. With the help of a home health aide, seniors and their families can have greater peace of mind knowing there is someone there to help when the weather turns bad.
These are just a few ways a home health aide can help an aging loved one this winter.
Prevent Malnutrition
Seniors who live alone are at higher risk of not eating properly and becoming malnourished. This is particularly true when the weather turns nasty and getting out to do routine shopping can become more difficult. A home healthcare aide can keep an eye on the seniors eating habits and make sure they receive a balanced meal each day. Aides can assist with preparing meals following diet restrictions when cooking.
Accompany to Appointments
No matter the season or the weather, seniors have doctor’s appointments that they must keep to maintain their health. Caregivers can make sure seniors remember their appointments and accompany them to ensure their safety during the commute. Some aides can also take notes for the senior, drive to pick up prescriptions and help them implement the doctor’s recommendations.
Provide Daily Companionship
Social isolation can contribute to numerous health effects in seniors. During the winter months seniors may see less of family and friends due to the weather. Unfortunately, this can lead to depression, anxiety, and increased stress levels. However, with the companionship of a home health aide, seniors do not have to worry about being alone. Aides can check in on the senior daily and help them with daily living activities.
Preventing Falls in Seniors at Home
Slips and falls can be extremely serious for seniors. During the winter months the chances of this happening increase due to the use of area rugs, slippers and other items that might be used for warmth. Some seniors also enjoy walking outside to get fresh air, but porches and sidewalks can be slippery from ice. Aides can make sure the senior remains safe in the home and when travelling outside the home.
Senior Safety in Winter
Senior health is important all year round, but the need for support increases in the winter months. Safety of seniors in winter is paramount when conditions outside are less than ideal. A home health aide from David York Agency can provide the compassionate and personalized care that seniors need and ensure that they stay safe and warm through the winter.
David York Agency Can Help!
For more information on David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at 908.373.5300. A free phone consultation can help you decide what services might be best to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn. To find out more about how home health aides can make a difference in a senior’s life this winter, contact us.
