Winter Safety Tips for Senior’s

Winter Safety Tips for Senior’s:
As much as we love to see the beauty that a fresh snowfall can bring, winter can be a hard time for many, especially Seniors. Seniors are often challenged by the colder temperatures as they struggle to maintain their body temperatures as a natural part of the aging process. If you are a Senior or have a loved one who is a Senior, it is important to still get out of the house, to stave off depression and isolation during these long winter months. Keeping safe is key, and here are some suggestions during this Season:
• Avoiding Falls-Falls are very common for Senior’s. Make sure to maintain sidewalks and driveways to keep everyone safe. Seniors can benefit from a pick on the bottom of their canes and non-skid soles on their footwear to help grip surfaces that are slippery.
• Dress for the weather-Always make sure to wear appropriate outerwear and dress in layers to help maintain body temperature. Also be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia: shivering, cold skin that is pale and ashy, fatigue, confusion, weakness, and slow breathing and heartbeat.
• Proper Nutrition-Adding Vitamin D to a balanced diet is especially important during the winter months.
• Be prepared for Power Outages-Make sure to have a box of supplies to help cope during a storm, including non-perishable food with a can opener, water bottles, candles, matches, flashlights and extra batteries. Include 2-3 extra blankets per person in the box along with extra socks and sweaters.
If you are a Senior, make sure to have an established communication system in place, of people you can call if an emergency arises. For the rest of us, let’s remember to frequently check in on Senior’s that live alone to ensure their safety.