It may not feel like it now, but winter is coming. For most of us, that means winter jackets and long johns. However, senior care during the winter takes a bit more planning and effort. If you have experience caring for a senior, you know that winter brings its own set of necessary precautions. More than just the cold weather, the conditions brought on by low temperatures means that seniors' safety takes on a bit of a different meaning.

Knowing what threats are present and what steps to take to prevent any accidents is vital for senior winter care. We outline a few ways in which you can really step up your senior care this winter and keep your loved ones healthy and safe.

Use Space Heaters

Space heaters help keep seniors warm without draining too much energy. But it's important to follow a few rules when using space heaters. First, only plug into a wall outlet and not into an extension cord. Also, keep the space heater at least three feet away from any flammable objects, even if you think the chance of catching fire is remote.

Prevent Falls in the Home

Falls for seniors can be disastrous. So preventing them at any cost is paramount. During the winter, this means salting the staircase and driveway, making sure the railings are also free from frost, and when necessary, helping seniors get in and outside of their home.

Wear Proper Clothing

Seems like an obvious one, but it's important enough to mention. Dressing warm for seniors is important both outside and inside of the home. It's also important that seniors not spend copious amounts of time outdoors during those extra cold days Toronto is known to have every now and then.

Weather Strip the Home

Whether your senior loved one lives in an old home or a new one, weather stripping is something that should be done before the winter sets in full force. Check to make sure doors and windows are properly sealed and that no cold air is creeping into the home. Not only can that cold air cause seniors to become uncomfortably cold inside their own home, it will definitely increase the energy costs.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration during the winter is more about the skin. The skin of seniors is more susceptible to becoming dry and cracked. To prevent this from happening, encourage them to moisturize daily and maybe even more than once a day if possible. Cracked skin can actually become aggravating, and possibly even painful, depending on where it's cracked.

Eliminate Potential Fire Risks

This involves walking through the home of your elderly loved ones and looking for anything that can potentially be hazardous. Make sure furnaces, fireplaces, and all vents are clear before actively using these appliances.

Get Expert Senior Care with Home Care Assistance

Home Care Assistance - Toronto/York Region knows what it means to care for seniors. It's what we do every day. If you have a senior relative and need some caregiving help during the winter, give us a call today at 905-597-5825.