New Englanders are no strangers to long, cold, snowy winters. While this transforms the landscape into a Currier & Ives print, it also can spell danger with slippery roads, subzero temperatures and unpredictable storms.
“Winter can be treacherous for anyone, but it’s particularly hazardous for seniors,” says Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH. “Due to the changes that happen in our body as we age, wintertime is simply more dangerous for older folks. It’s easier for them to get sick, to remain sick and to sustain injuries due to weather-related instances.”
Michelle suggests that anyone who has a senior loved one in their life should take some proactive steps to help them stay safe during the long New England winter.
“Protecting senior loved ones from winter weather is 20 percent preparation and 80 percent paying attention,” says Michelle. “Many of the tips are things we should be doing ourselves to keep safe. Seniors, however, may have mobility issues or health issues that keep them from being as proactive as they need. Having neighbors, children and friends who check in and make sure they’re doing okay provide not just assistance, but also the reassurance they need in order to enjoy winter safely.”
Tip #1: Avoid the Ice
One of the biggest dangers to seniors during winter are icy roads, sidewalks and driveways. Slipping and falling often causes major injuries like head trauma, lacerations and fractures of the hip and wrists. Older adults don’t bounce back from injury as quickly as younger folks, and it’s estimated that falls are the leading cause of death from injury for seniors over the age of 65.
Seniors and their loved ones should make sure that any winter footwear is solid, non-stick and has good traction. If your senior lives by him or herself, consider hiring a service to make sure their walkways are clear following inclement weather. Roadways and parking lots can be treacherous, too, so it’s best if seniors stay inside until roads are fairly clear. Depending on your senior’s health and situation, it might make sense to hire Uber drivers to take them places, or look for online delivery services so seniors don’t have to go out to get the things they need.
Tip #2: Stay Warm
Senior adults are more susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia than younger individuals. In fact, seniors can develop these conditions inside a house if the temperature is too low (which, according to experts, can happen at 68 degrees or below).
Before cold weather hits, make sure that the furnace has been serviced and is in working order. Be sure to keep the thermostat at a comfortable level (70 degrees or higher is perfect), and make sure that your senior dresses appropriately, even indoors. Sweaters, thick socks, slippers and blankets should all be within easy reach. When going outside, make sure to bundle up with warm socks, sturdy boots, a heavy coat, gloves, a hat and a scarf. You may also wish to bring along a thermos of hot tea, coffee or cider to help stave off the chill.
Tip #3: Stay Social
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a very real phenomenon that occurs during the cold, dark months. This can be exacerbated in seniors because they may have less contact with friends and family during winter. It’s easy for them to become isolated because it’s simply too difficult or dangerous to get out and about. This leads to depression, loneliness and isolation – all things that can have severe physical consequences.
This is where friends and family can really make a difference in the lives of their senior loved ones. Checking in as often as possible – even if it’s just a five-minute daily phone call – can help seniors know they’re not alone. Loved ones can also arrange for regular outings so that seniors can get out and enjoy all the fun there is to have in winter. Luckily, there are all sorts of events that take place during the winter months, from holiday celebrations to concerts and other activities. Senior centers and senior living communities often have events that are open to the public, so they can be a great resource.
Tip #4: Prepare for Winter Storms
Winter storms and power outages go hand-in-hand here in New England. Instead of waiting until the night before to brave the grocery stores and stock up, help your senior loved one get prepared well before any whiteout hits. Prepare a stockpile of bottled water, non-perishable foods, flashlights and a battery-powered radio (plus plenty of batteries), warm blankets and an emergency cell phone. Don’t forget candles, matches and plenty of books and board games. If your senior lives alone, talk to their neighbors and ask them to check in on your loved one during a storm to make sure they’re all right.
Tip #5: Eat a Healthy Diet
It can be hard to eat a healthy and varied diet during the winter. First off, we’re all drawn to heavy, rich foods like stews, chilis and roasts – which, while delicious, are not the most nutritionally diverse meals. Secondly, it is harder to get out to the grocery store, and when we do, there aren’t that many fruits and vegetables in season. It’s easy to get in a food rut and not get the nutrients we need to help us stay healthy. Fortunately, seniors and those who love them can stock the freezer and cupboard well in advance with options that are delicious and nutritious. Milk, whole grains, fatty fish, lean proteins and frozen fruits and vegetables are all items that can be bought in bulk and portioned out to help make meal planning easier.
Tip #6: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen when lanterns, gas heaters or fireplaces are used. In order to make sure your senior loved one remains safe, buy carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they’re placed in appropriate areas around the home. If your loved one already has detectors, be sure they’re in proper working order. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure in this situation.
Winter in New England certainly can pose challenges for senior adults, but with awareness and a bit of planning, it’s easy to help your senior loved one stay healthy and happy throughout the cold months – and be ready to experience the joys in springtime before you know it.
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Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
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Featuring a stunning design and luxuries only a new community can offer, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It’s a community with a singular focus: enrich the lives of our residents and help their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features attributes that make life easier for those with memory loss: soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations.
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