Lots of people worry more about their elderly relatives during the autumn and winter months. This time of year comes with several additional challenges for people who are less able, more affected by the cold and at a higher risk of common illnesses.
It is really common for people to arrange home care services for loved ones who are still living in their own homes at this time of the year. As soon as the weather changes, having some additional care and support for an hour or two a day can be really beneficial, and a home carer can provide useful assistance during autumn and winter.
There are some things you can do to help keep your elderly loved one safe during the colder months too and now is the perfect time to make some adjustments to their home. Preparing your elderly relative’s home for whatever the autumn or winter seasons may bring can help to keep them happy, healthy and safe this year. Below we have looked into some of the different ways you can make sure your elderly relative is ready for the colder seasons.
Check their heating is working properly
This is one of the most important things to do as the weather starts to get colder outside. It’s essential that your elderly relative’s central heating system is working as it should be and if they haven’t had their boiler serviced yet, for example, it’s beneficial to arrange this for them. If you’re able to, you should set a timer for their heating to come on and go off at certain times of the day too, this will help to ensure their home is always warm for them.
The increasing energy costs are a huge concern for people this year and it’s worthwhile checking whether your loved one is entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment to help with their heating costs. There are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of their energy bills too, such as draft-proofing doors and hanging thermal curtains.
Stock up on essentials
Lots of people wait until bad weather is forecasted to stock up on essentials, but it’s beneficial to ensure your loved one has everything they need at home during the colder months, so they don’t have to go to the supermarket if they don’t want to. You can stock up on lots of non-perishable foods and when doing so, think about buying foods that your elderly relative can use to make healthy and easy, warming meals at home in a slow cooker, for example.
In addition to buying store cupboard foods, also stock up on things like batteries and first aid items. If your elderly relative has a prescription, it’s beneficial to make sure they always have plenty of their medication at home too, just in case they’re unable to get to the pharmacy.
Clear outdoor paths and driveways
As the leaves start to fall off the trees, paths and driveways can get very slippery. To keep your loved one safe and to reduce the risk of them falling whilst they’re walking outside, clear their pathways for them. You may need to do this regularly during the autumn and it can be useful to get your elderly relative some new shoes with better grip too.
During the winter months as the roads start to get icy, you should also grit your loved one’s paths and driveways. It’s advantageous to keep some de-icing salt at their house so it can be used whenever required to make them feel more confident when going outside.
Replace lightbulbs
Throughout the colder seasons, it’s dark for many hours during the day and this can make it harder to see trip hazards on the floor. You should consider replacing the light bulbs in your elderly relative’s home, ensuring they’re bright enough for them to be able to see clearly. You may want to buy some additional lamps and nightlights too, and these can help to keep your loved one safe whilst they’re moving around their home at this time of the year.
Arranging home help for the elderly this autumn and winter
Hopefully, the information above will be useful if you’re worried about an elderly relative as we head into the colder months. If you’ve been considering arranging home care services for your loved one for a while and you think that now is the right time to do so, don’t hesitate to contact us at Beloved Homecare. We can provide your elderly relative with the extra support they need on a day-to-day basis during the autumn and winter seasons, or even long term.
We specialise in providing care at home to elderly, convalescing and disabled clients, and we help our clients continue to live independently within the comfort of their own homes. To find out more about our home care services, feel free to explore our website today.