Fall Preparation and In Home Senior Care
Cooler afternoons may mean the windows are open and the nice breeze is filling the home. Autumn has finally arrived and the weather is starting to feel a bit cooler. Winter months mean living inside the same air for a few months; take the time make sure it is clean by checking and changing air filters. While open windows are great for the first few weeks of fall, as winter approaches, it is important to make sure that the windows are sealed tight when closed. Take the nice days to look at the weather stripping and reapply new strips to doors and windows. When necessary, use caulk in cracks to further prevent the bitter winter air from entering the home. We are quickly approaching the shorter days of winter and there are many things that need to be taken care of to prepare your home for fall. Hang some heavier curtains that will help insulate draftier windows. Not only is keeping cool air outside and warm air inside good for comfort, it’s also great for energy savings and lower utility bills. If you have an elderly loved one who may need some assistance with getting their home ready for fall, here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Fall preparation includes buttoning up the summer accessories and storing them for the winter months ahead. Power wash cushions and chairs, stack and store them out of potentially bitter winter cold to prevent cracking and fading. It is best to put these items away clean so that when spring comes back around, it is a refreshing treat to be able to pull out and simply enjoy the warm and pleasant air.
Turn off outside faucets and drain hoses. Disconnect any hoses from the spigots and if the home is older, you may also need to turn off the valve inside. Store hoses in a dry place so any residual water won’t freeze.
If it has been a while since the furnace was turned on, a local heating and cooling company could be called in to check for any potential issues in the system and ductwork. It’s better to call on the company for preventative maintenance than to need them in an emergency situation when the winter months are frigid and many other people have situations that also need to be fixed. Hire a professional to check for leaks in the ductwork, check heating efficiency, and change the filter. It may make sense to have a few filters on hand at your senior loved one’s home so they can change it monthly when the HVAC system is working hard like during the really chilly months.
Next, you need to check on the exterior of your elderly loved one’s home. Stock up on firewood. Order enough firewood to last through the winter should a strong winter storm knock out electricity and your elderly loved one is unable to use their electric heat. It’s a good idea to also have the chimney inspected for possible hazard as well.
Clean your loved one’s gutters to prevent blockage and to allow for efficient drainage away from the home. Reinforce the doors and windows by removing screens and install storm windows and doors if your elderly loved one uses them.
These simple tips for fall preparation are sure make the home’s transition into the coolers months much easier. While we are busy preparing our homes, be sure to also prepare the heart with warm smells of pumpkin and sweet treats inside. This is the time to visit local orchards and pumpkin patches and to enjoy conversation around a campfire. Take the time to spend it with those you love and your heart stay warm with memories through the colder winter months.
If you would like to learn more about caring and consistent in home help for the elderly and the many benefits of professional in home senior care, call Senior Helpers of Riverside to speak to a senior care specialist today 951-248-0543! In home senior care and in home assisted living allows your loved one to stay in the comforts of their own home for as long as possible while receiving the level of care they need. When you and your family are considering the many options available to help your elderly loved one cope with Alzheimer’s or other dementia related disease, look to Senior Helpers of Riverside, to make a customized care plan complete with Senior Gems geared to their ability level. Senior Helpers of Riverside proudly offers in home senior care to all areas of Riverside. Services are available on a long or short term basis with no contract to sign and flexibility in scheduling. Call 951-248-0543 today to learn more about productive activities to help your elderly loved one to find a sense of value and purpose in their life.