Navigating The Winter:A Guide For Senior Citizens

By: Reliable Community Care

The winter is upon us. It’s a beautiful time of year indeed - but also has its fair share of hazards.

Seniors in particular must take extra precautions in order to remain safe, healthy, and happy during this season.

While a visiting nurse or home health aide can help those in need through the day, many elderly folk will be alone at times through the colder months.

Today we will share some winter safety tips with you.

Today we will visit three types hazards:

● Weather Related● Mental Health● Home Hazards

Weather Related Tips ● Layers, Layers, Layers - Dress in layers, and lots of them. Prepare for the cold and hope

for the warm so you’re ready for any temperature.● Cover your extremities - Hats and gloves are vital to keeping warm during the colder

months. ● Be aware of ice - Slipping and falling is one of the most common causes of senior

injuries. The winter is a dangerous time for these types of instances. Avoid walking on ice or slippery surfaces at all costs. If you must venture outside, ensure you shoes have a good gripping on them.

Weather Related Tips ● Prepare your car - Ensure you have winter clothing as well as blankets in your car in

case of a breakdown. Keeping hand warmers as well as some snacks in your vehicle will also help secure your safety in the case of a breakdown. In addition, don’t even think about driving without snow tires.

● Slow down while driving - There’s no need to speed, especially in the winter. Black ice is virtually invisible and can send your car flying in the blink of an eye. Drive safe and drive slow.

● Keep your eyes on the road while driving - Don’t use your cell phone while driving, especially with dicey road conditions. Stay focused and you will stay safe.

Mental Health Tips ● Stay optimistic - It’s easy to get down during the winter months. The best thing you can

do is to adopt an optimistic attitude.● Try and see people - Invite some family or an acquaintance over once a week. It will add

a little light to your darker months● Hire a home health aide - Having a daily or weekly visit from a home health aide will

assist in both your day-to-day tasks and help support positive mental health● Pick up some fun hobbies - Reading or knitting can help make a day fly by in a positive

way!

Home Care Tips ● Stock your pantry - If you are to lose power you can be stuck inside for quite some time.

Ensuring you have proper food to wait out a storm will minimize the chance of encountering desperate times

● Invest in a generator - Buy a space heater and a generator. That way in the case you lose power you will still have heat and a means to power any appliances you may need to use.

● Optimize to save energy - Seal your windows and buy heavy curtains to cut down on drafts and save on your energy bills.

● Ensure your fire detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries are fresh.

About Reliable Community Care:

Reliable Community Care (RCC) was started by a nurse compelled by the need for high quality home care and fair and decent treatment of home care workers in New York City. Originally housed above a beauty parlor in Brooklyn, RCC began serving elderly and disabled New Yorkers in all five boroughs of New York City in 1992. As one of the first Licensed Home Care Services Agencies in New York City to receive the distinction of Joint Commission Accreditation, RCC quickly became known as a leader in New York home health care. Now located in Downtown Manhattan, with our very own training facility and a growing number of dedicated and skilled caregivers, RCC remains loyal to its original vision.

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