Winter is hard on everyone in Boston. The days get shorter and we all suffer through frigid temperatures. Now imagine how it must feel for your elderly loved ones. They are far more prone to injury because of fragility. Their muscles and joints don’t work the way they used to, which can lead to falls. Cold affects them in a harsher way, and they are more likely to get frostbitten or sick. That is why winter care for the elderly is important. Having a good winter care strategy will keep them safe during this high risk time of the year. Preventing Winter-Related InjuriesWe’ve all stumbled a little when walking around in the winter. Sometimes you don’t know there’s ice until you already slipped over it. This is especially dangerous for the elderly because falls can lead to life-altering or life-threatening side effects. Even at home, seniors are prone to falls unless their home has been carefully prepared to prevent falls. Good lighting and proper stair maintenance are important. Also, canes, handle bars and reaching aids are useful tools that can reduce the risks of tripping, slipping or falling. The cold itself is also dangerous. Elderly people get colder faster. There are heated clothing benefits that you should consider. They can help the elderly minimize the risk of developing hypothermia and frostbites. Properly winterizing the home can prevent many accidents for our elderly loved ones. That means things like checking that the windows are well-insulated, having the roof inspected to ensure it won’t get crushed under heavy snow, checking their heating system and refilling the propane or oil before it gets too low, and other safety precautions. Staying IndoorsWhen it’s icy and cold outside, it’s better to hibernate a little bit. There are plenty of holidays to prepare for in the winter that will keep you and your elderly loved ones occupied. After the holiday season, senior citizens tend to get lonely and a little sad. It’s hard for friends and family to visit because of the weather. Staying inside too much isolates them and makes them feel lonely. A home care companion can help them feel less alone. Not only can a home care aide provide emotional support, they can also take care of basic housekeeping, run errands, and do meal prep. Your senior care strategy should also include regular cleaning and changing of bed linens and laundry. Bedding is bulky and difficult to thoroughly clean in household washers and dryers. Hiring a laundry delivery service will make things easier. Skincare and Nutritional SupplementsIt gets drier when it’s cold and elderly skin can start to crack and bleed. Prevent this by having a dry skin lotion or cream with plenty of moisturizing elements around the house and reminding your loved one to use it.
Make sure you the cupboard. One easy way to stay healthy is by making sure you’re getting the proper nutrition. In the summer, it’s easier to stop by and make sure your elderly relatives are eating nutritiously. During the winter, vitamins and supplements can be a good way to ensure they’re getting the nutrition needed to get through the winter. If you have senior loved ones living by themselves at home, these winter safety measures should not be taken lightly. Fortunately, proper preparation can alleviate most problems. We hope these winter safety tips will help you and your loved ones stay safe this winter. Each New Year brings new and exciting possibilities. We get to start on a clean slate and set New Year resolutions. Many goal-setters strive to improve their health. They set resolutions for the New Year, such as do more exercise, go on a diet, get more sunlight, etc. and aim to stick with them. Others get stuck. So I will share with you a few suggestions to live a healthier life. Visit Your Elderly Parents Once a MonthHealth isn’t exclusively about what you put into your body. Spending time with people you love also assists with health. Some elderly parents receive attention from home health aides. These professional caregivers help senior adults with everyday tasks such as meal preparation, housekeeping and personal hygiene, as well as offering meaningful companionship. However, time with these in-home caregivers is not the same as spending time with your child. Visiting your elderly parent once a month gives them more time with you. You both get to share memories and bond during your precious moments. Spending time with your parents is the best way to show that you care. Your visits will benefit their physical and mental health as well as your own. Sign Up for Weekly Laundry Pickup and DeliveryNo one wants to do chores, but unattended laundry will pile up over time. Dust will accumulate and trigger allergies. You might also notice the odor. Not tending to laundry can turn your home into an unpleasant one and hurt your health. A weekly laundry pickup and delivery will solve this problem. Not only will create a cleaner space in your home, you will also always look your best in clean and fresh clothing. Furthermore, delegating laundry gives you extra time to exercise, work on other health-related goals and spend precious time with your family, which is again beneficial to you and your family’s mental and physical health. Be Environmentally-FriendlyTaking an environmentally-friendly approach to your living environment is not only kind to our planet but often ensures better health for yourself as well. For example, a lot of cleaning products contain chemicals and toxins that are harmful to the body. Resolve to start using green cleaning products this year. You won’t feel the disadvantages immediately. However, like the planet and climate change, these effects will occur in the long term. Homeowners can also consider switching to a propane water-heating and space-heating system which are more eco-friendly than oil and likely to be cost-beneficial in the long run. Consult your local home energy supplier and also inquire about availability of propane tanks and delivery service. Set Up a Health and Lifestyle PlanStrive to become healthier now than you were last year, but it may not be easy to do it alone. You can enlist a loved one to keep your objectives on track, but sometimes professional coaching is more effective. Some pharmacies have a wellness coach who can set you up with a health plan and recommend proper exercises, vitamins, and supplements for your goals. Having professional support along the way lets you establish challenging but reasonable goals, with a higher probability of success.
Setting New Year resolutions around health is a great start for the year. I wish you the best as you continue your health journey in 2022! Need some spooky season inspiration? Well, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s that time of year again when the leaves begin to drop, the weather gets crisp, and ghosts roam the streets. And while there are tons of fall activities to do this season, it can be extra fun to get into the spooky spirit too. Keep reading to learn 5 Halloween celebration ideas for 2021. 1. Throw a Costume Party If you want to have a wild Halloween night, invite some friends over for a costume party. To prepare, put up some Halloween party decorations, put out party food and drinks, and get the spooky music blasting. And if you’re over 21, make some fun Halloween cocktails or get pumpkin beer! Pro tip: if you want to have the perfect costume, get it dry cleaned or altered before the party. 2. Make Spooky Treats
If you’re over eating Halloween candy, make some spooky treats instead! Here are some desserts you can make:
3. Watch Scary Movies There’s no better time to watch scary movies than Halloween night! So grab your popcorn (and maybe some candy) and get ready for a fright. Here are some of the best ones to watch:
4. Play Halloween Games If you have children, playing games is a great way to celebrate this holiday. Here are some of the best Halloween games you can play:
5. Decorate Your Home Even if you’re not planning Halloween parties, it can be fun to decorate your house for the occasion. Here are some awesome decoration ideas:
Did You Like Those Halloween Celebration Ideas? No matter which of these Halloween celebration ideas you choose, you can’t go wrong. So whether you throw a big costume party or watch a few scary movies, you’re sure to have a blast. Just watch out for any ghouls and goblins on Halloween night! As our loved ones age, they feel most comfortable at home. That’s why if it’s safe for them to stay home, with some help, that’s usually the best option. But it definitely can be overwhelming for us to transition into becoming a caregiver, even if it’s not full time. Here are some tips for caring for your elderly loved ones at home. Make the Home SafeAs we age, it becomes tricky to navigate certain spaces. Adding grab bars in the bathroom, shower and sitting areas is an easy way to give your loved one a little extra help and prevent falls. Consider reaching aids like grab claws kept in convenient places like under cabinets or in pantries. Make Moving Around EasyCanes and walkers are a helpful way to give your elderly loved ones some independence when moving around. There are even foldable walkers that can be stored away in closets or under furniture. Prescriptions and Medical RemindersIf your loved one takes medication regularly, there are several ways to remind them to either refill prescriptions or pick up meds. You could set alarms, have them set up for monthly refills, or have the pharmacy set up reminder calls. CompanionshipIf your elderly loved one is still in good health, a pet may be an option for companionship. Cats are generally less maintenance than dogs. However, some small dog breeds make great companions. If pets aren’t an option, consider hiring a sitter for the elderly a couple of days a week. Delivery ServicesThere are so many grocery delivery services today, and some of them even offer special services for its elderly and high-risk clients. You can even download an app and order the groceries yourself, from your own home or office, and have them delivered to your loved one at their home. Some Boston dry cleaners and online laundry apps provide laundry delivery services as well. Local ServicesGet with your community park services. They may offer special hours or programs for elderly citizens. Even if that’s not an option, regular walks to the park or in the neighborhood are always a great idea. Consider signing up your senior for the activities provided by your community's senior center.
Using these easy tips, caring for your elderly loved ones can be a rewarding experience for everyone. The colder weather is coming, and we’re still in a pandemic. Putting a little effort into preparing now will make the winter a whole lot easier to handle. Here are some great tips to keep in mind while you’re getting ready for winter. Stay HealthyWinter is already smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season, and now we have COVID-19 to worry about as well. Stock up on hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies, but don’t hoard! Just pick up one or two extra each shopping trip until you have a small supply to get you through the winter months. Don’t forget to get your flu shot at the local pharmacy. Now it’s even more important than ever to keep up on your vaccinations. Stay WarmEven with lots of preparation, unexpected problems may occur like a broken furnace or power outage. You don’t want to be without heat in subzero temperatures. Your local pharmacy or supermarket might carry small space heaters. Also, consider buying a power generator, if you don’t have one yet, in case of power outages. If it’s a propane generator, then make sure you get a reliable propane supplier. Now is also a perfect time to take all your winter coats and down comforters to the dry cleaners, so they’re fresh and clean when you need them. Your summer clothes should be cleaned and put into storage too, if you still haven’t done so. Prep You and Your Family’s SkinHarsh temperatures can wreak havoc on the skin. It can even cause some pretty gnarly diaper rash for your little ones. My local compounding pharmacy in Newton makes a fantastic diaper rash cream called Baby Ease, which you can buy online. Make sure you have plenty of body lotion and rash cream, which, of course, can be found at your local pharmacy. Check on Your Loved OnesIf you have elderly parents or loved ones who live alone, make sure you check in often during the winter. You may even want to consider getting companion care services from a home care agency. Even if your elderly loved ones are still healthy, the cold months can bring in the winter blues. A professional caregiver can keep an eye on your loved one’s behavior as the nights get longer, watching for mood changes. Home caregivers are also trained to provide meaningful conversation and engage seniors in activities at home. A little extra help and companionship will keep your loved one mentally and physically healthy.
Hope these simple tips will help you and yours be ready for a safe and healthy winter. |
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