Prepare for Winter Months with In Home Senior Care
Now that Halloween has passed and November is knocking on our door, it is time to start thinking about the potentially bitter cold winter months ahead. When visiting local shopping malls, you can already start to see the beginnings of Christmas and winter holiday decorations. Winter months mean more time is spent indoors, so fall is also the right time to prepare your elderly loved one’s home with not only the holiday theme but also to prevent slips and trips that can cause major injury.
Whenever possible, check stairways and entry ways for broken or rotten wood steps. Regular maintenance on outdoor steps is important to prevent slips, trips or falls. Whenever in the kitchen, remember to always clean up spills on the floor immediately and remind your loved one to do the same. A forgotten mess on linoleum or tile floors can spell trouble for an elderly loved one.
Studies have concluded that falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in the United States. Fall prevention is the best way to protect your elderly loved one from injuring themselves in their home. Some of the common locations for trips and slips are doorways, cluttered floors and hallways, stairs and areas in the home with heavy traffic.
Outdoor preparation of the home is as important as cleaning indoor spaces. Now that it’s not as bitterly cold as it is sure to get later in the winter months, it is time to clean out the gutters and aerate and rake the lawn. Make sure to inspect decks and railings for splintering or rot, and treat to prevent further damage from frigid winter weather. Clean and store any outdoor patio furniture and bring in any plants that are unable to withstand below freezing temperatures. Be sure to drain all water hoses and disconnect from the outside of the home to prevent discoloration, cracks and preserve their lifespan. Make a check on trees near the house and remove any branches that appear to be dead or brittle and would fall and cause property damage or physical injury if layered with heavy snow or ice.
Winter can get pretty unpredictable and severe weather may strike at any time. It is important to have a stock of ready-to-eat foods in case of a power outage due to downed power lines. Make sure that there are flashlights readily available and there are new batteries inside. Inside the home, be sure to locate all extra blankets and bring in a load of firewood for the wood stove or fireplace.
While we can’t avoid the chill of winter, we can make sure that we are ready for whatever Mother Nature blows our way. By preparing for colder weather, we are keeping our families safe and saving our homes from possible weather damage and saving some money with energy efficiency as well.
If you would like to learn more about caring and consistent in home elderly care and the many benefits of professional senior care or dementia and Alzheimer’s care, call Senior Helpers of New Port Richey to speak to a senior care specialist today 727-934-6000! The compassionate senior care specialists at Senior Helpers can also guide you through the process of receiving the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Benefit if your elderly loved one is a veteran. In home senior care 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. Senior Helpers of New Port Richey provides a wide range of services including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal assistance, companionship, peace of mind visits and so much more to all areas of Pasco, Pinellas, Clearwater, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, Hudson, Palm Harbor, Trinity, and Oldsmar..