We’re now less than two weeks away from the official start of the fall season. The temperatures in the Greater Toronto Area may still hover around summer-like numbers for a little while longer – but there’s no stopping the chillier days from coming. We’ve already experienced a couple of them this week! So, it goes without saying that preparing for colder weather is a must. As you may have guessed, this is an especially important task for the elderly.
Layer up!
Canadians nationwide are very familiar with the practice of wearing layers during the cold months of the year. Tucked in t-shirts underneath sweaters, topped by thick jackets is considered normal attire during the fall and winter. Be sure that your elderly loved one is practicing his/her annual layering up routines to protect him/her from such conditions as hypothermia. As Susie Slack of Medical Alert System Reviews informs us, as we get older, our risk of suffering hypothermia increases.
“Hypothermia can be a life-threatening condition that occurs when an individual’s body temperature drops below normal and remains low for a period of time,” she writes, “Being over the age of 60, having health conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism, and taking certain medications all make you more susceptible to the cold…Dress in layered, loose-fitting clothing. Dress warmly and wear a hat when going outside.”
Clear your walkways.
We all know why the autumn season is also known as the fall. All of those leaves that have changed from green to orange, yellow and brown don’t stay on the trees. Because so many of them are bound to fall on the ground, they are likely to cover up potential tripping hazards. Clearing your walkway of leaves and any other debris is an important way to prevent slips and falls.
“Fallen leaves can pile up on walkways and driveways and create a hazard for senior citizens,” affirms Leo LaGrotte of Life Settlement Advisors, “If you can’t maintain your yard on your own, consider hiring someone to do so. Even leaving your house to retrieve the mail can present danger, as leaves collect underfoot and lessen the tread and resistance of your shoes.”
Moisturize your skin.
If we’re being honest, most of us consider the use of sunscreen to be a summertime ritual. The truth is, however, that the sun shines all year long. As a result, it’s important to wear sunscreen no matter what the temperature is. For the elderly, it’s also important to protect the skin while indoors. As Slack informs us, our skin gets thinner with age. And when we turn up the heat during the colder months of the year, our skin is more susceptible to drying out. This can lead to infections.
“Indoor air becomes arid thanks to household heating systems,” she writes, “Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and eating soup. Using a humidifier indoors can go a long way toward putting some much-needed moisture back into the air. Also, make sure to help keep your skin from drying out with lotion or cream.”
At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, senior safety is considered a top priority. If you have any questions about the mobility solutions and home healthcare products that we offer, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
