Today, only a small percentage of older adults in America express a desire to move after retirement. The vast majority elect to pursue aging in place. This usually requires preparing the current home to support the activities of daily living as advanced age affects mobility and other factors.
Winter months present a special challenge, particularly for those living in isolated or suburban areas. While we all feel the chill, older adults are even more susceptible. Poor circulation, especially when combined with certain medications, makes beating the winter chill more difficult for older adults.
Because finances can be tight for many retirees, cranking the heat from November until April may not be an option. Below are some suggestions for those pursuing aging in place to beat the chill without breaking the bank.
- Keep curtains closed: Make sure that all windows or glass exterior doors have blinds that are kept shut to prevent cool air seeping in. Weather stripping can also help provide a tight seal that ensures warm air stays in and cold air is left outside.
- Move furniture away from potential drafts: rearrange commonly used furniture to minimize the potential of sitting directly in the path of a cold draft. If possible, move the favorite chair closer to the source of heat.
- Dress warmly: Invest in quality winter clothes that are both warm and comfortable. Remember to dress in layers, with long underwear on under clothes. Wool socks and slippers can also help prevent body heat escaping, and prevent the discomfort that comes with bare feet on cold floors.
- Electric blankets: When used safely, electric blankets can be a great and inexpensive way to ward off chills. However, the care recipient needs to be aware of the dangers that can arise when anything is set on the blanket, or when the blanket is left on. Because of the decreased circulation in many older adults, it can often take longer for burns to be noticed. This makes it important to keep electric blankets on their lower settings, and buy a model with an automatic shut-off feature.
Even with these precautions in place, winter can present other challenges. Snowy roads and risky transportation may mean that older adults are at increased risk of social isolation during the winter months. Social isolation can have significant negative effects on wellness and needs to be considered in the coming months.
Fortunately, Independa's integrated CloudCare™ solution helps care recipients stay engaged and avoid the negative effects of social isolation. Our advanced software interface, called Angela™, is expertly designed specifically for older adults with an intuitive layout, larger screen fonts, higher contrast and brighter colors.
Care recipients enjoy social integration and other exciting features, such as appointment and medicine reminders through the world's first and only TV with embedded remote care services. Additional features, such as video chat, easy message and photo sharing and a community events calendar help care recipients stay engaged.
With the Caregiver Dashboard, Angela users always have support close at hand. Wireless health devices and home sensors can be easily integrated and monitored, allowing peace of mind throughout the cold winter months. Contact us today to schedule a demo.
Do you have any thoughts or insight on how to support loves ones' desire to age in place during the winter months? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
