The winter months present some unique challenges for seniors because aging bodies often have difficulty staying warm. However, there are some simple steps families can take to help their elderly loved ones stay nice and warm throughout the winter. The staff at Embrace In-Home Care, a leading provider of at-home care Green Valley, AZ, families trust, has a few suggestions to help your loved one stay warm this winter.
Provide Warm Beverages Throughout the Day
Many seniors consider coffee or another hot Drink to be a critical part of their morning ritual. Keep the coffee, tea, and cocoa flowing throughout the day to provide your loved one with warmth that spreads through his or her entire body.
Cook Warm Meals
Cold sandwiches might be a fast and easy lunch to prepare, but they don’t do anything to warm up the body. However, providing dishes cooked at high temperatures can help keep your loved one warmer. Consider these options:
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Soups and stews, as long as your loved one’s hands are steady enough to handle eating them – consider placing these meals in a mug for drinking if your loved one is unable to raise a spoon without spilling
- Leftovers from supper for lunch the next day
- Warm breakfast foods like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, or biscuits and gravy
Purchase New Winter Clothes
Many older adults, whether out of a desire to be frugal or simply because they haven’t noticed, haven’t replaced their winter clothes in a while. As your loved one’s clothes become more threadbare, they no longer provide the warmth he or she needs. Before winter sets in, make sure your loved one has plenty of warm clothes for the season.
Fix Gaps in Windows and Doors
Because many seniors tend to lead sedentary lifestyles, they’re more likely to be impacted by a draft inside their homes. Check the windows and doors in your loved one’s house to ensure there’s no cold air coming in that will give him or her a chill. If there are gaps, make sure you repair them.
There are many other preventive measures that can help your loved one remain warm in the winter and beyond. At Embrace In-Home Care, our dedicated caregivers can prepare nutritious meals, encourage and assist with exercise, and help with a wide array of daily tasks. In addition to respite and live-in care, we also offer comprehensive Parkinson’s, stroke, and Alzheimer’s home care Green Valley seniors can count on. For more information on our elder care services, please call a Care Manager at (520) 625-2050 to schedule a free in-home consultation.