Safety Tips for the Winter Season
Love it or hate it, winter is here, and it will be for the next few months. Senior safety during these months is crucial in order to have a safe and enjoyable winter season. As you get older, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain body heat and stay protected against the frigid winter air. Conditions such as hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and slips and falls become far more probable during this season. Our Comprehensive Care team is here to inform you of the precautions and safety tips to follow to keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the next few months.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia, a medical emergency, is caused by the body producing less heat than it is creating resulting in a dangerously low body temperature, around 95 ℉ or lower. When the body reaches hypothermia, it becomes a danger zone for risk of heart attack, liver damage, or kidney problems.
Health problems that increase the risk of hypothermia include:
Thyroid problems
Diabetes
Parkinson’s & Arthritis
Know the signs:
Shivering
Exhaustion
Confusion
Memory loss
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Tips to avoid hypothermia:
Stay warm indoors: staying inside during freezing temperatures will help you avoid hypothermia but making sure your house is warm enough is important too. A house kept between 60° F – 65 ° F is still cool enough to cause hypothermia in seniors. Keep the house above 68° F.
Make sure that windows and doors are properly sealed and not allowing any cold air in.
Dress warmly. Even if you are staying in, dress in long sleeves, use a blanket and make sure to wear socks.
If you need to go outdoors, make sure to dress properly. Two to three layers are warmer than one big, heavy layer! Make sure to wear a hat, gloves, scarf, and warm socks in order to lock in as much body heat as possible.
The main way to avoid hypothermia is to dress for the weather, including when you are inside. It is better to wear too many layers rather than not enough! The ability to store body heat decreases with age, so it is important to take extra precautions from the cold during your golden years.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when the skin is damaged by extremely cold temperatures. Frostbite tends to be more localized than hypothermia and is more likely to occur to body parts furthest from the heart (toes, fingers, nose, ears, etc.).
The consequences of frostbite include; increased risk of developing it again, long-term numbness in the affected area, Hyperhidrosis, joint stiffness, and other less severe conditions. In seniors specifically, the effects are worsened and are likely to last longer.
Know the signs:
Numbness
Discoloration of the skin (red, white, bluish-white, grayish-yellow, purple, brown, ashen)
Hard or waxy skin
Tips to avoid frostbite:
Cover up all body parts the best you can.
If the skin becomes red or starts hurting, go inside immediately.
Slips and Falls
Front porches and driveways are icing over making it easy to slip and fall onto concrete. To seniors, a fall can be detrimental and lead to broken bones, bruising, concussions, and other severe medical conditions. According to the Center for Disease Control, “25% of adults age 65 and older suffer a fall every year. Annually, 2.8 million injuries result from slips, trips, and falls.” Our Comprehensive Care Team wants to help you avoid being a part of this statistic. We have put together a list of tips for you to follow to help minimize the risk of falls
Tips to avoid falling:
Make sure walkways are cleared of snow and ice.
Use caution when walking on concrete that is wet and possibly icy.
Wear non-slip shoes or boots.
If you or your loved one use a cane, make sure the rubber tip is new and not worn down for good traction. (Consider investing in an ice-pick-like tip for ultimate protection from the ice.)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
One of the highlights of winter is keeping warm by the fire, but it is important that you take precautions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Older adults, especially, should be careful because they are more likely to suffer brain damage, heart complications, or even death.
Know the signs:
Headache
Weakness
Nausea
Dizziness
Confusion
Tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:
Call an inspector to make sure chimneys and flues are operating properly.
Place a carbon monoxide detector in strategic places like next to the fireplace.
Open a window when using a kerosene stove.