Winter Tips Care for Seniors

Frostbite

Acute temperate drops can result in frostbite – harm the skin and travel all the way down to their bone. Winter winds are known to damage the chin, nose, toes, ears and finger tissues. In certain extreme cases frostbites have also resulted in amputation of the limbs. Older adults combating chronic heart disease and circulation complications are greatly affected by frostbites.

Care: Place under wrapsall parts of their body when they wish to go outside. If their skin turns wine or darkens or causes physical pain ask them to go inside the house, immediately.

Indentify the alarming signs: Seniors with darker skin are often observed complaining of their skin turning milky or ashy. In some the skin turns gloomy-yellow and their it experiences hardness; insensibility. Seniors affected by frostbite often suffer from hypothermia, so elderly home care professionals musttest for suchindications, as well.

Seniors suffering from frostbite must place their affected body parts in lukewarm (not boiling hot) water.

Hypothermia

Seniors tend to generate a lower body heat compared to an average young individual. Therefore it's difficult for them to mention when the temperature is extremely low. This can be fatal at times, especially when their body is exposed to a freezing weather condition, it starts loosing warmth fast. The condition usually results in hypothermia, a fatal drop in their normal body temperature.

Indentify the alarming signs: Excessive shivering: icy skin that turns grayish-yellow or waxen, experiencing tiredness, drowsiness; weak nerves, problems while moving around; slowed hear rate. Reach out for assistance if you realize a senior adult is suffering from hypothermia.

Caution: Excessive shivering in seniors should not always be confused for hypothermia, as older adults shiver less or infrequently, as their body temperature falls.

Care: Stay back warm and cozy when the climate outside is freezing, notably if the winter winds are taking a toll on everyone. Maintain the room temperature at approximately sixty five degrees. If you are forced to move out to get your supplies, avoid staying outside long, go indoor if you experience excessive shivering.

Keep Dry: Damp attire freezes your body instantly.

Layers of clothing: Older adults can choose to wear three to four layers of extremely thin, baggy attire than wrapping around single, heavy attire. Paired with layers, ensure you wear mittens or gloves to keep you warm, boots, scarf or hats and coat too work well.

Accidents While You Drive

Seniors at 65 and older are involved in fatal vehicle accidents per mile compared to individuals in practically all age groups. Considering driving in freezing weather can be unsafe seniors must know:

Your vehicle should be ‘Winterized' way before the freezing weather hits. Ensure the tires, windshield wipers as well as the tires are properly inspected and replaced if required.

Carry your phone or pager with you, at all times when you are driving in an extreme climatic condition. Always let your loved ones know your whereabouts, so that your family can call for assistance if there is a mishap.

Avoid driving on icy roadways, bridges or superhighways, if feasible, try taking a different route

Your vehicle must have different emergency items, likeshovel, booster cables, flashlight, first aid kit, canned foods, additional warm clothes and blankets and windshield scrapper.

Winter diet

Even in favorable climatic conditions older adults are exposed to the risk of nutritional deficiencies, as a result of numerous factors. Now with the freezing weather upon us, falls, cough and flu are at their peak. The dietary requirements of older adults are at a greater risk of anguish.

Consume from the below food category at least 3 – 4 times a day

Food grains: Buy the ones containing more dietary fiber since it aids with proper digestion.

Milk and Milk Products: This is an inescapable food category, especially for the bone and muscle repair and avoids osteoporosis.

Meat: This category offers minerals, proteins and vitamins, the body requires the most in winters.

Vegetable and Fruits: Include yellow, green orange and red fruits or vegetables in your diet. They are loaded with ingredients to fight diseases naturally.

Another prime point, that a senior home health care professional advocate is constant intake of fluid. Water constitutes most of the human body and it utilizes it in the transport of drugs, for proper digestion, blood circulation and also for muscle and joint health.

Five years ago, Andrew Martin got an opportunity to work at a Home Care Assistance franchise and he immediately accepted the offer. Today, his office provides reliable and affordable home care services in the Greater Toronto Area.