The days are becoming shorter and yeah winter is arriving! When the temperature outside falls drastically, we might have to consider taking care of our elderly loved ones more than usual. Since the body temperature drops below normal it becomes the host for serious health conditions especially in older adults. So it’s always better to be prepared and take precautionary measures in order to mitigate the risks and make sure your loved ones are safe and sound this winter. Also always know about options like home medicine delivery services in case of emergency situations.
The most common problems faced by seniors during winter would be,
- Breathing trouble
- Dry skin
- Hypothermia ( In serious cases of low temperature)
- Frostbite
- Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
- Pneumonia and flu
Thus in order to avoid the above conditions during winter, it’s very necessary to take the precautionary steps and in worst cases medical supervision should be given at the right time for the senior adults to be in proper health.
Understanding the problems faced by senior adults:
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is caused when the body temperature gets very low. In older adults a body temperature of 95o F or lower causes a serious health issue that often leads to heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage or even worse. The common signs of hypothermia include
- Slurred speech
- Puffy and swollen face
- Pale skin
- Cold hands and feet
- Trouble moving
- Breathing trouble (slow and troubled breathing)
- Feeling sleepy often
If your loved ones are experiencing any of the above symptoms of hypothermia it’s always better to seek medical attention at the earliest to avoid any further risks. In some seniors not only the cold weather but also some medications make them susceptible to hypothermia. Also for breathing problems at winter, it is important to take nebulization with proper medical supervision.
Since most of the problems faced by senior adults including hypothermia can be avoided by staying warm, it’s important to keep the elders and also their surrounding warm.
Cold Weather senior safety tips
Increase the indoor temperature:
A senior adult who lives in cold house may be at high risk of developing hypothermia. As one age the blood circulation decreases and blood vessel walls loses its elasticity and also the fat layer beneath skin decrements making senior adult’s body less tolerable to cold temperature. It’s important to keep the room temperature around 65oF since the elders find it difficult to conserve body heat. Make sure your house isn’t losing heat through windows and always keep the doors shut.
Dressing up for cold weather:
Even the mildest weather change will make senior’s body drop temperature so it’s always important to keep an eye on weather forecast and make elder people stay home if it’s cold outside. Even at the most needed conditions, it’s necessary to wear warm clothes and avoid staying out door for a long time. Always try to wear scarf and socks (that will prevent cold feet). Try wearing loose layers of clothing that will bundle up the heat and keep you warm. And always change the clothes if it gets damp or wet.
Eating healthy:
Eating the right food for the winter is important in two ways. One the right amount of body fat will keep your body warm; the other is to avoid the digestion problems that might occur during winter. So keeping a balanced and healthy diet is a must.
Taking care of major illness:
It’s always important to treat certain diseases that might make it harder for your body to stay warm. Some diseases like thyroid problems and diabetes will make blood flow abnormal that might reduce the heat flow and others like Parkinson’s disease and arthritis will make it difficult to put on more layers of clothing that will keep body warm. Also memory loss in older adults will make them forget to wear proper clothing when they head out. Thus the above mentioned diseases should be treated to help maintain seniors conserve body heat.
Under any of those conditions mentioned above, it’s always good to have someone to assist the elderly so that they will keep round the clock check on them. In order to follow all the winter vacation safety tips for the seniors, it’s always best to use home care services available these days.
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