Preparing Seniors for Winter Storms

By Julie McCormick, Co-Owner | December 28, 2018 | Comments Off on Preparing Seniors for Winter Storms

Winter weather can be beautiful.
A fresh blanket of sparkling snow makes the world look almost magical. An ice coating on trees makes them appear to be fashioned out of ice. However, as lovely as a winter wonderland can be, winter storms can be dangerous. Making sure your aging relative is prepared for winter storms can ease your mind about their safety and ensure they have everything they need. Below are some tips for preparing seniors for winter storms.

 

Home Health Care in Warren County VA: Prepare For Winter

Home Health Care in Warren County VA: Prepare For Winter

 

Must-Haves for Communication

You’ll want to be able to check in on your aging relative during and after a winter storm, so it’s important that you have a way to reach them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends having a fully charged cell phone and portable charger available. They also suggest purchasing a battery-powered radio to make it possible to listen to weather reports and instructions for emergencies as they are issued. Have extra batteries on hand, too. Also, make sure the senior has a list of emergency phone numbers readily available. Make sure they know how to reach family caregivers, too.

 

Create an Emergency Kit

Prepare an emergency kit for the older adult to meet their basic needs and keep them safe. Some things to put in the kit are:

  • Flashlight and batteries.
  • Bottles of water and non-perishable food items, like dried fruits, granola bars, nuts, crackers, etc.
  • Extra prescription drugs (make sure to check these periodically so they do not expire).
  • Basic first-aid items or a kit.
  • An emergency heat source, like a space heater or fireplace. Make sure it is ventilated properly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning or fire.

 

Keep Pets Safe, Too

If the older adult has a pet, be sure to have extra supplies on hand for them, too. If the pet runs out of food or other necessities, it may cause the older adult to go out during the storm to get them. Don’t forget to plan extra water for the pet, too.

 

Review of Safety Precautions

When a winter storm is approaching, it’s a good idea to go over safety precautions with your parent. Remind them to stay inside. If they need something, ask them to call you or another caregiver instead of trying to get it themselves. Also, talk to them about using space heaters and other kinds of alternative heating methods safely.

Elderly care can also help your older family member to prepare for winter storms. An elderly care provider can help to gather items for an emergency kit. An elderly care provider can also take the senior grocery shopping to make sure they have enough food until the storm ends and they can get to the store again.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Warren County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991.

Sources
Ready.gov
Cdc.gov
Weather.gov

 

Julie McCormick, Co-Owner
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