Winterizing the Elderly| Helping Aging Loved Ones Prepare for Bad Weather

Is Your Elderly Loved One Ready For Winter?

Winter can be a dangerous time for the elderly. Not only are they more susceptible to colds and viruses, they have to worry about slippery sidewalks and stoops and not being able to obtain necessities such as medications or food.

Just like everyone else, the elderly need to make preparations for winter. Usually, this blog focuses on advice for people who provide full-time care for a loved one in their own home. But there are many elders out there that don't need full-time care. They are still mostly independent and live alone, but they may need a helping hand when it comes to
winterizing themselves and their homes.

Here are some ways you can help make sure that your loved ones (or even elderly friends and neighbors) can look forward to a safe, comfortable winter: 

• Thorough fall cleaning to remove allergens and other health hazards

• Safety check and weatherproofing the home. 

• Quick detail and winterization of their vehicle.

• Shopping to stock the pantry and freezer

• Freshening up the first aid and emergency supply kits

• Making sure the elderly will be able to stay warm 

• Updating emergency contact lists and numbers.

The first blizzard or ice storm of the year may be weeks or months away, but the sooner you start preparations, the better your odds of getting everything done before everyone gets sidetracked by the holidays.

Lets get started making your elderly loved one safe for the winter!

A Good Deep Clean

Deep cleaning at least once a year is important for maintaining a healthy home. It can be especially daunting for the elderly, who may not be able to manage some tasks on their own. (such as handling heavy furniture or dusting high places.)

Round up some volunteers, grab some cleaning supplies, and give your loved one the ultimate holiday gift--a sparkling clean home.

As well as the basics, (dusting, mopping, washing, folding, sanitizing, etc.) don't forget to do these important tasks:

• Remove all expired food items from the fridge and pantry to prevent potential food poisoning. 

• Make sure all dangerous chemicals are in clearly labelled bottles or containers stored well away from food and open flames.

• Toss out any expired medication, including old prescriptions. 

• Check that all kitchen appliances are functioning properly and are safe to use

• Make sure items that are used frequently are placed in low, easy to reach areas to eliminate the need for climbing or stooping. 

• Sort and throw away fire hazards, such as stacks of old magazines, papers, cardboard boxes, etc. that might gravitate towards an open flame or other heat source.

Do a Safety Check and Some Basic Weatherproofing

While you are cleaning everything, do a basic safety check. This includes:

• Making sure dryer is lint-free

• Checking ventilation

• Checking the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace if needed. 

• Make sure any handrails are still secure

• Removing or relocating rugs and other tripping hazards

• Having propane or gas heaters and lines professionally inspected 

• Making sure water lines and outside faucets are insulated. Check for leaks now, while the weather is still fair!

• Making sure all electrical outlets are working correctly. 

• Replacing all the light bulbs, and making certain there is a night light in areas where tripping, falling or bumping into furniture is likely.

• Caulking any air leaks around windows and doors. 

• Adding any new safety gear that might be needed. (Hand rails on a set of steps, for example)

Here are some additional safety issues to address.

• Make sure toilet seats are secure (that sounds weird, I know. But I have seen an elderly person fall because of a loose toilet seat 

• Check water heater settings

• Make sure drains are all clear (splash-back or fumes from drain cleaner can be dangerous if not used properly)

• Consider tethering or bracketing top-heavy furniture to walls if your loved one may use these items to steady themselves. (tall clocks, entertainment centers, tall bookcases or other freestanding shelves, freestanding cabinets, tables that could tip, etc.) 

Making Sure the Elderly Have a Safe Car

This is a good time to make sure that any elderly person who owns a car and still drives themselves can do so safely. Check all the fluid levels, make sure the tires are in good shape, and do a basic check of all the lights.

The car should have, at the very least, a blanket, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and some non-perishable snacks. (as well as the basic car tools and spare tire!)

Go Shopping

Time to stock the freezer and pantry! Focus on staple items and non-perishable foods (dried beans, rice, pasta, canned goods, etc.) Then work on stocking the freezer.

If your loved one depends on electricity for cooking food, stock up on a few items that can be eaten directly from the container in case of power outages.

Don't forget a supply of food for your loved ones pets.

Don't just focus on food. Drinking water and other beverages are important to have on hand too.

Besides food, make sure other essentials are on-hand too. Items such as trash bags, paper towels, toiletries, hand soap, dish and laundry soap and other items that are used regularly. Who wants to risk their life in  a snowstorm to buy toilet paper? Its a necessity though. Don't forget cleaning supplies too.

Stock the pantry with plenty of non-perishable foods. 

First Aid and Emergency

While shopping, replace the expired medication you tossed earlier (if needed). Add a few winter staples such as Vicks, tissues, lip balm and cough drops.

If needed, purchase flashlights and batteries for those surprise outages. Oil lamps and candles are nice to have, but only if you are certain they will be used safely.

Warmth and Comfort

Unfortunately, many elders are on a tight income. Sometimes they can't afford to use their heat sources constantly.  Or they may choose to limit their usage in order to save a few pennies. Even if they can and do use their available heat, there may be a power outage.

Check that your loved one has plenty of warm blankets on hand, as well as a good coat, appropriate winter clothing for your climate,  sturdy walking shoes or boots that are waterproof for outside, and sturdy, warm and comfortable shoes for indoors (with non-skid soles).

Electric blankets and mattress pads can be good too, if your loved one does not have dementia. (electric blankets can cause burns in people who are not able to tell when they are becoming too hot.)

Updating Emergency Protocols

Finally, create a list of important phone numbers (or program them into your loved one's speed dial). If using a list, print it out using a large, clear font, then have it laminated (or slip it into a sheet protector) before hanging it near the phone.

Set up a network of friends and family to help out with errands during icy weather. If a prescription gets low, or a gallon of milk is needed, it is much safer for the elderly to phone in a favor than to attempt to drive or walk in ice and snow.

And of course, if you or close friends and family live nearby, call ahead before winter storms to make sure that the elderly have everything they need BEFORE driving conditions become unsafe. Also implement a "rescue plan"--have a place for your loved one to go in worst-case scenarios (such as predictions that power outages may extend for several days).

Winterizing the Elderly is a Smart Plan

Not all elderly people will need help preparing for winter. That doesn't mean you shouldn't offer, or just show up to do a small favor or two.

Not only is winter prep nice, by creating a clean, safe, well-stocked home for the holidays (and holiday guests), it can allow you to assess your loved one. While you are cleaning and chatting, watch for:

• Signs of lowered cognition (more forgetful? Normal, or it could be dangerous?)

• Depressed mood (just the changing seasons and cool weather aches, or does your loved one seem unusually apathetic or lethargic?)

• Health and hygiene (are they able to safely cook for themselves? Are they stumbling more, or dropping things too often? Do they seem weak? Are they able to keep themselves and their environment reasonably clean?)

• Medication errors (did you find too many dropped pills while vacuuming the carpets? Are prescriptions up-to-date, and taken correctly?)

If it seems like your elderly loved one might not capable of handling themselves safely, it may be time to decide whether or not it is safe for them to spend the winter alone. If everything seems well, then enjoy a cup of coffee with your loved one.

And don't forget to call them often or drop in for a visit. Winter is lonely, especially for those who can't leave their homes!