With the colder weather setting in, elderly people must find ways to stay warm in their homes. As people age, the ability to regulate temperature lessens, and with reduced muscle mass and circulation and thinner skin, seniors become more sensitive to the cold. Keeping warm is essential for elderly people to maintain a good level of comfort in their home and protect their health; exposure to cold can worsen existing conditions or lead to respiratory infections or hypothermia.
In this blog, we have looked at how elderly people can keep their homes and themselves warm and how care at home services in Trafford can also be beneficial during these colder months.
Maintain Good Indoor Temperature
Keeping a good indoor temperature can help maintain a comfortable environment and help seniors keep the cold away. Setting thermostats can help to keep a warm and consistent temperature in the house and allows seniors to monitor the temperature and make adjustments where necessary. Handheld thermostats can benefit seniors who struggle with mobility; rather than walking to a thermostat on the wall, handheld thermostats can sit beside an elderly person, ready to use when required.
In addition to using a thermostat, it can also be beneficial to close the doors to rooms that are not in use, allowing the rooms that are in use to retain the majority of the heat. Utilising draught excluders can also help block unwanted cold air currents that bring a chill to the room. Home care professionals can identify areas of the home that could benefit from closed doors and draught excluders while monitoring and managing thermostats to keep the room temperature comfortable.
Wrap up in Warm Clothing
Choosing the right clothes is necessary for retaining heat. Elderly people should incorporate layers into their outfits; the extra garments are a simple yet effective way to keep warm even if you are not leaving the house. Opting for numerous thinner and breathable layers can be more effective than a single bulkier garment, as the gaps between each layer help to trap air, providing essential insulation. With poor circulation, elderly people may struggle to keep their hands and feet warm, so wearing thick socks, slippers, and gloves can help keep extremities warm.
Keep Active
Sitting around in one place can make it easier for elderly people to feel the cold, while staying active can improve circulation and help seniors generate their own body heat while improving physical health. Physical activity doesn’t have to be too strenuous; low impact activities such as yoga, stretching, or just moving around the house can make a difference by engaging muscles and improving blood flow. A home care professional can suggest physical activities that are suitable for their client and provide assistance if it is required.
Ensure Good Hydration and Nutrition
Nutrition and hydration should not be overlooked; they play a crucial role in helping elderly people remain warm and healthy in the colder weather. For the body to generate heat, it requires energy, so elderly people need balanced and nutritious meals to provide the necessary energy. Foods like stews, soups and porridge are hearty meals that offer good nutrients and a sense of comfort. A home carer can help buy food and prepare meals suitable for colder weather. Understandably, colder weather makes drinking water and other cold drinks less appealing; however, elderly people must drink a healthy amount to avoid dehydration, as dehydration can also impact the body’s ability to regulate heat. Warm drinks such as hot water and lemon, decaffeinated coffee, and herbal teas provide essential hydration while warming the body. A home care professional can monitor what their client is drinking to ensure they are getting enough.
How Can Beloved Homecare Help?
If you are looking into care at home in Trafford, Beloved Homecare is the place to turn to. When you choose Beloved Homecare to provide care at home services in Trafford, you can expect nothing short of first-class services. We want our clients to enjoy ageing at home gracefully, and our team will provide high-quality physical and emotional care for as long as necessary.
With our person-centred approach, flexible, customised care plans and dedicated and compassionate staff, you can rest assured that your loved one is in safe hands with us. To discuss our 24-hour, dementia, personal, domestic or end-of-life care at home services in Trafford, please visit our website, where you can find our contact details and reach out to our team.