That winter wonderland outside can come with some pretty serious problems for seniors.
If you’re concerned about an elderly parent, read ahead to see what you can do to protect them from the following five winter problems.
1. House Fires
You might be surprised to find out that house fires are more common during the winter months.
This is because people are using more candles, burning logs in their fireplaces and using heating equipment like space heaters.
What precautions can you take to protect your elderly parent from house fires?
- Put fire extinguishers on every floor.
- Change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Replace flammable candles with electric candles.
- Have the chimney cleaned before using the fireplace.
- Move space heaters in the middle of rooms, away from things that can catch fire.
Does your parent live with you or have a live-in caregiver? Then, you should look into evacuation chairs for sale as soon as possible.
An evacuation chair is designed to help people with limited mobility, like seniors, safely exit emergency situations.
So, in case of a house fire, your parent doesn’t have to struggle to rush outside to safety. You — or their caregiver — can grab the evacuation chair and have them sit in it.
Once they’re strapped in, you can easily help them escape from the dangerous situation and move to a safe location.
2. Slips and Falls
Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors. In the winter, the risk of falls is higher because of the ice and snow.
So, what can you do for your elderly parent?
- After shovelling their walk, put down sand or salt to melt any remaining ice.
- Get them a sturdy pair of winter boots.
- Secure handrails near the exit stairs of their home.
3. Shovelling Snow
Shoveling snow can be a surprisingly risky task for seniors. It can put a lot of strain on their bodies, leading to injuries like slips, falls, and pulled muscles. In the worst-case scenario, shoveling snow can cause heart attacks.
What can you do to prevent this? You should shovel your parent’s walkway whenever it snows.
If you can’t do the job for them, see whether you can hire a snow clearing service throughout the winter.
That way, your parent won’t be tempted to pick up a shovel and tackle the job on their own.
4. Car Accidents
Winter driving can be dangerous. It’s easy to lose control of your vehicle on a patch of ice and get into a collision.
If your elderly parent is still driving, you should encourage them to take some safety precautions during the winter.
Help them change their car’s tires to winter tires and put together a winter emergency kit in case they have troubles on the road.
What should be in their emergency car kit?
- Winter accessories like mittens, hats and scarves
- A warm blanket
- A flashlight
- A small shovel
- An ice scraper
- Sand, salt or cat litter to add traction beneath the tires
5. The Flu
Flu season is in full swing during the winter months. The flu virus is notoriously dangerous in older adults and can lead to pneumonia, and in some cases, death.
So, what can you do? Encourage your parent to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible.
You and your family members should also get your own vaccines and avoid visiting your parent when you’re feeling sick.
This should help your parent stay protected. Get your elderly parent ready for these winter problems so that they stay safe and healthy through the whole season.