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. .Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to honor your dad and thank him for everything he has done for you. While big Father’s Day celebrations can be nice, some dads prefer to keep thing simple. If your dad is more the subdued type, or if a big celebration is just not in the cards this year, here are some simple ways to show you care.
1. Help Dad look his best. When was the last time your dad had his suit cleaned? Consider taking it to the dry cleaner for a nice refresh. The dry cleaner near me does a fabulous job of removing any stains, repairing buttons and pressing the suit. Find the best dry cleaner in your neighborhood and ask them to pickup your dad’s shirt and suit for cleaning. When your dad wears the cleaned suit, he will feel like he’s on top of the world. If you do have bigger plans for Father’s Day, such as going out to dinner at a nice restaurant, you can always have his suit dry cleaned in advance so he can wear it to the special event. 2. Make him a gift basket. Buy his favorite personal grooming products, some cologne, and maybe some sunscreen to prepare him for the summer. Don’t forget to also grab a greeting card and write a personalized message inside. If you procrastinated in gift shopping for your dad, you can do this last-minute at the nearby pharmacy. There are often many really nice products that you can put together in a gift basket for your dad. 3. Arrange for companion care. If your father is getting older and is struggling to care for himself, or perhaps feeling a bit lonely in the house, a nice Father’s Day gift may be to arrange for companion home care through a home care agency. A professional caregiver, such as a certified HHA, can visit, as needed, to help with basic tasks and also do fun activities like playing chess, viewing photos or taking a walk with your dad when you can’t be there. 4. Make him a mix tape. Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, people used to make mix tapes for their loved ones. Bring this tradition back for Father’s Day! Create a CD with some of your dad’s favorite songs on it. You can include songs you’ve listened to together over the years and toss in a few surprises, too. As Father’s Day approaches, spend a little time to think about how you want to celebrate with your Dad. It’s perfectly okay not to go over-the-top. Often, it’s the small gestures, like those above, that mean the most to a dad. Be sure to also give your father a hug and remind him how much you care. |
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