Safety Tips For Your Senior This Season

Elderly Care Deerfield IL - Safety Tips For Your Senior This Season

It is important for many seniors to remain in their houses for as long as possible, which is why many choose to receive elderly care while they age in place in the comfort of their own home. The winter season brings unique safety concerns for family members of seniors home alone, but there are ways that you can be proactive about their health and safety this season to keep them warm, safe, and happy there.  

Here are a few tips for keeping your senior parent or loved one safe at home this season: 

Be prepared for ice and snow 

Have a plan in place for days when ice and snow are an issue for your loved one getting elderly care at home. Be prepared by having items on hand such as salt or ice melt, tools to scrape ice and snow off of vehicles, proper footwear such as snow boots with good tread for traction, and a person responsible for cleaning walkways and driveways. Make sure that your senior knows that they need to stay indoors and not attempt to go outside to do things such as pick up the paper or check the mail where they could slip on ice or snow and get injured.  

Watch for scams 

It may be the season of giving, but be sure that your senior doesn’t get scammed in the process. There are many ways that people can give to those less fortunate this time of the year, but scammers are out there waiting to prey on people, especially the elderly, and take advantage of their good-natured and very generous dispositions. Talk to your senior about scams and make sure that if they give any sort of monetary donations that they check with you or their caregivers first. There are ways to check the legitimacy of charity organizations, and your senior should never be pressured to make a decision immediately on the phone or in person if someone comes to their door.  

Stay warm in a safe way 

If your senior has a fireplace, furnace, or wood burning stove that they use as their heat source, make sure that it gets checked out annually so that there are no safety concerns for your elderly parent or loved one receiving elderly care at home.  

Have chimneys and stoves cleaned and inspected, and be sure your senior is aware of fire hazards and what to do in an emergency. Have an elderly care provider with them at all times when using fireplaces or space heaters, and use caution as these items can be dangerous and deadly. 

If your senior has a tendency to try and save money by not using appliances such as the air conditioner or furnace, make sure their caregivers are aware so that they can be watchful for this. Seniors refusing to use heat or failing to report when their heat isn’t working properly can be in a dangerous position when temperatures slip below freezing.  

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Deerfield IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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