Autumn has finally arrived and the weather is starting to feel a bit cooler. You may notice you can leave your windows open during the day but need them shut at night to stay warm. The days are getting shorter as the sun sets earlier every day. 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. 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 is a good time to test your elderly loved one’s safety devices. Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are working properly. You can make this a yearly habit when you prepare your senior’s home for fall.
Next, let’s look at interior maintenance. Check for any drafts in the windows and invest in some low-cost caulk to seal up those cracks. A good idea is to carry a candle to each window when they are closed and check for a flicker in the flame. If necessary, replace seals around door frames and windows to help conserve energy and save money in the long run during the upcoming cold winter months. 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.
Remember to have your elderly loved one’s HVAC system inspected. 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.
You may have an elderly loved one who is finding it more difficult to keep up with daily household chores, let alone find the energy to winterize their home and yard. There are just a few simple tasks that can be performed to ready your elderly loved one’s yard for the winter months ahead. First off, clean out and weed all of their garden areas. Turn soil and aerate the ground to save yourself and your senior loved one back breaking work planting in the spring. Remember to fertilize the areas to further prepare the ground for spring seeding. 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.
With the arrival of fall comes preparation for your elderly loved one’s home to get them through the winter in the safest, efficient, and cost effective way. If you would like to learn more about professional in home help for the elderly and in home dementia and Alzheimer’s care, call Senior Helpers of Chattanooga to speak to a senior care specialist today 423-710-1500! Senior Helpers of Chattanooga provides a wide range of services including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal assistance, companionship, and so much more to all areas of Chattanooga, Hixson, Cleveland, Ooltewah, Signal Mountain.