{"id":229,"date":"2011-03-03T15:02:33","date_gmt":"2011-03-03T20:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/?p=229"},"modified":"2012-12-05T16:05:32","modified_gmt":"2012-12-05T21:05:32","slug":"at-home-safety-for-the-elderly-wintertime-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/at-home-safety-for-the-elderly-wintertime-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"At Home Safety for the Elderly \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Wintertime Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Staying safe and warm in the winter presents some unique challenges for the elderly, especially seniors who live alone and far away from family and friends.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Loss of heat, power outages, isolation, and preventing hypothermia and dehydration are serious concerns for seniors and their caregivers.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Here are some practical elderly home safety tips <\/strong>that seniors can use to prepare for the long, cold winter months.<\/p>\n

1)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Keep cupboards stocked<\/strong> — You never know when you might become housebound because of snow and ice, so be prepared by keeping a week\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s supply of food in the house along with a couple of gallons of bottled drinking water.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Non-perishable canned goods, cereals, pasta, dry milk and jarred sauces are recommended.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Buy a non-electric can opener in case there is a power outage and stock up on batteries.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 And make sure you have a couple of working flashlights.<\/p>\n

2)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Refill prescription medications\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00ad\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00ad<\/span><\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 You don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t want to run out of critical meds during a blizzard so stay well-stocked.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 If your pharmacy does not deliver, consider switching to one that does so you don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t have to drive in bad weather when you need to refill a prescription or require an over-the-counter medication.<\/p>\n

3)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Maintain heating fuel levels<\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Schedule a delivery of home heating oil or propane in mid-fall and have your furnace checked and you chimney\/flue cleaned.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Monitor fuel levels as winter sets in and schedule a delivery if the level falls below a quarter of tank.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 If you are financially strapped and need assistance with your fuel purchase, you may qualify for state aid. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Go to this site to learn if you are eligible for energy assistance<\/a> in your state.<\/p>\n

4)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Stock up on wood or kerosene<\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 An efficient wood-burning fireplace, wood stove or kerosene heater can provide considerable heat and lower heating bills.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Order an adequate supply of seasoned wood early in the season and store it in a dry, easily-accessible location like your attached garage or covered porch.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Remember that burning wood and kerosene emit carbon monoxide so proper ventilation is required.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Be sure to install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in areas where you use fireplaces, wood stoves, or kerosene heaters.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 You may want to consider installing a multi-functioned monitoring system like the Sensaphone 400<\/a>.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 It features an auto-dialer that sends telephone alerts to family or friends in case of a smoke<\/a> or toxic gas emergency, in addition to emitting an audible signal.<\/p>\n

5)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Prevent hypothermia<\/strong> — According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), older adults are especially vulnerable to hypothermia, which can be deadly if not treated quickly.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Lower body heat, inactivity, illnesses such as diabetes, and some medicines also put older adults at risk of hypothermia.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 To avoid danger, seniors should stay inside during extreme cold and windy weather; keep their home heated to between 68\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00c2\u00a6<\/sup>-70\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00c2\u00a6 <\/sup>F; and dress in layers including long underwear, socks, slippers and sweaters.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 As an extra precaution, a freeze alarm<\/a> can be installed to warn if the indoor temperature drops to a dangerous level.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 The more sophisticated freeze alarms<\/a> hook up to your telephone and automatically call an offsite caregiver if your indoor temperature plummets.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 For more information on the risk of hypothermia in older people, see this report by the National Institutes of Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Stay fit and healthy<\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Exercise, diet and staying well-hydrated are important for good health, especially in the wintertime.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Move your body by walking in place or doing laps around your house.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 If you can afford it, invest in a stationary bike or treadmill.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Eat well-balanced meals that include frozen or canned vegetables and fruits if fresh are not available, and be sure to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Six to eight glasses a day are recommended, even in the winter.<\/p>\n

7)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Stay in touch<\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 When snow is falling and the wind is howling, concerned family members and friends will want to know that you are safe and well.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Stay in touch with your support circle via Internet email, cell phones, text messaging and even your old-fashioned landline phone. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Seniors living alone can wear a \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cpanic button\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d pendant or wristband<\/a> that calls a response service, family member or caregiver in case of an emergency, such as a debilitating fall.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Sophisticated senior monitoring systems are available.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 These multi-functional devices send well-being status alerts, issue medication and appointment reminders, send text messages, and serve as an emergency response system.<\/p>\n

8)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Keep emergency numbers handy<\/strong> \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Program emergency phone numbers into your cell phone or cordless phone or post a handwritten list in your kitchen.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 You list should include the police and fire departments, fist aid squads, hospitals and Red Cross.<\/p>\n

Seniors living independently can survive the long winter months by preparing for cold weather challenges in advance and by following these tips for elderly home safety.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Remember to reach out to family members and friends by phone or computer on a regular basis to get the latest news and assure them that you are OK.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0And rest assured, springtime is just around the corner!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Staying safe and warm in the winter presents some unique challenges for the elderly, especially seniors who live alone and far away from family and friends.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Loss of heat, power outages, isolation, and preventing hypothermia and dehydration are serious concerns for seniors and their caregivers.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,9,189],"tags":[12,11],"class_list":["post-229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-freeze-alarms-heat-alarms","category-home-monitoring-security","category-independent-living-aid","tag-freeze-alarm","tag-freeze-alarms-2","clearfix"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=229"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2100,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229\/revisions\/2100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}