Although snow days can create a magical wonderland, cold weather can also pose safety and health challenges for seniors. As the temperature drops, older adults and caregivers need to take proactive winter health precautions to ensure a safe season. This blog will explore 14 winter health tips for seniors that’ll carry you comfortably and healthfully through the cold season.
1. Create a senior winter wellness routine.
Maintaining a strong immune system through the winter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Incorporate the following winter health precautions into your senior winter wellness routine to start feeling stronger, healthier, and more vital even by the end of the week:
- Start your day with gentle morning stretches.
- Dedicate a few minutes to meditation or mindfulness. Use a guided meditation app or calming music to help quiet your brain.
- Practice deep breathing to increase oxygen flow, reduce stress, and eliminate toxins.
- Incorporate the seven daily joint-friendly exercises on this list.
- Consult with your doctor about taking immune-boosting supplements like probiotics, vitamins C and D, zinc, echinacea, turmeric, and a multivitamin.
- Limit alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, which can lower your immune system’s response.
2. Stay hydrated.
Staying hydrated is essential year-round, but it’s especially critical during winter. Cold weather can be deceptively dry, leading to dehydration. Remember to drink plenty of water and other hydrating drinks like herbal teafs or warm soups to promote overall senior winter wellness from the inside out.
3. Boost your immunity with nutritious foods.
One of the most important winter health tips for seniors is to focus on food quality. Consume nutrient-rich foods that give your immune system a boost. Include the following foods in your senior winter wellness diet plan:
- Citrus fruits, rich in immune-boosting vitamin C
- Berries, chock full of antioxidants that protect cells from damage
- Garlic, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties
- Ginger, which may help soothe sore throats and reduce inflammation
- Turmeric, which promotes strong joints and immune function
- Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, which promote a healthy gut
- Leafy greens like spinach, high in vitamin C and folate
- Nuts, which have a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, protein, and fiber
- Green tea, loaded with polyphenols that boost the immune system
- Lean proteins, especially fatty fish high in omega-3s
- Check out these healthy snacks for seniors for more ideas
Talk to a healthcare professional or dietitian to find a senior winter wellness diet plan that will work for you.
4. Get a daily dose of exercise.
Exercise is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, particularly as part of a senior winter wellness routine. Exercise can help:
- Improve blood flow to help keep you warm.
- Boost the immune system to stave off colds and flu,
- Increase endorphins to beat the winter blues,
- Promote deep breathing, enhancing cell health,
- And help prevent winter weight gain.
Prioritizing winter safety for older adults is vital, so avoid exercising in harsh weather or temperatures. Instead, move your favorite exercises indoors, at home or at a local community center or gym. Some great exercises to incorporate in a senior winter wellness plan include chair yoga, light aerobics, dancing, and tai chi. If you have access to an indoor pool, consider warm-water activities like swimming or water aerobics to help relieve joint pain and enhance mobility.
Did you know that GoGoGrandparent offers free exercise classes on YouTube? You get high-quality exercise classes right from the comfort of your home! Check out these playlists to get started with your senior winter wellness routine:
Consult with a fitness professional for a personalized senior winter wellness exercise plan.
5. Enjoy indoor activities.
Depression is a major health risk during the winter, so staying social is one of the most critical winter health precautions for seniors. Combat feelings of loneliness, depression, and boredom by staying social and engaging with your community.
Join a local senior or rec center for fitness classes, art workshops, and social events that keep your body moving and your brain sharp. Popular indoor activities for senior winter wellness include painting, drawing, crafting, scrapbooking, reading, puzzles, board games, indoor gardening, cooking, baking, dance, educational courses, movie marathons, volunteer clubs, writing, and more.
GoGoGrandparent makes staying inside easy with grocery, meal, and pharmacy deliveries. You get to cuddle up inside while your food, prescriptions, and household goods are delivered right to your door.
6. Dress in warm layers.
Staying warm is one of the most underrated winter health tips for seniors. Cold temperatures can cause the immune system to malfunction, so warm clothes are an important part of winter safety for older adults. Comfortable clothing layers and cozy blankets can help regulate your body temperature and strengthen your immune system.
Choose moisture-wicking fabrics as your clothing base layer to keep you dry. Add insulating layers made of thick, comfy fabrics like wool and thick cotton. Finish the outfit with a waterproof outer layer to protect against wind and snow. Don’t forget a hat, gloves, scarf, and warm socks to protect your extremities.
7. Make sure you have medications on hand.
Missing a dose of medicine can have severe health consequences, so take winter health precautions by stocking up on your medications.
Stick to your medication schedule – even in the dead of winter – with GoGo’s pharmacy delivery. You can have your prescriptions delivered right to your door without battling traffic, long lines, or crowded pharmacies.
8. Equip your home with winter safety for older adults.
A comfortable, safe home is a crucial part of senior winter wellness. Winter safety for older adults starts by addressing potential hazards in the house. Here’s a brief checklist to get your home winter-ready:
- Ensure walkways are clear of snow and ice. Use sand to improve traction, or hire a snow shoveler through GoGoGrandparent.
- Install handrails on all steps.
- Schedule a professional inspection of your HVAC system to ensure it’s in good working condition.
- Check windows and doors for drafts that could jeopardize winter safety for older adults. Use weather stripping to seal any gaps or apply draft stoppers at the bottom of doors.
- Cover windows with thermal curtains for extra insulation.
- Sleep with warm bedding, like flannel sheets and a thick comforter.
- Have a backup heat source in case of a power outage, such as a portable space heater or generator (if these are deemed safe for your space).
- Place non-slip mats or rugs near entrances to prevent slips and falls with wet shoes.
- Prepare an emergency kit with all winter health precautions, including flashlights, blankets, batteries, non-perishable food, and extra medications. Include a backup power source – like a battery-powered generator – for medical equipment that requires power.
- Test and replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Create a more accessible home by clearing pathways and removing tripping hazards.
- Wear house slippers that have good traction. Keep your snowy shoes at the door.
- Install a home security system.
- Make morning and night check-ins a part of your senior winter wellness routine to let neighbors or family know you’re alright, especially during bad weather or storms.
- Check out these 12 easy, inexpensive modifications for additional winter health precautions for your home.
Don’t worry about making these home modifications yourself. GoGoGrandparent helps with in-home services like home repairs, snow shoveling, dog walking, and more. Our GoGo Guardians thoroughly screen providers and manage your requests, so you can feel confident the people coming into your home are professional, safe, and reliable. Learn more about GoGo Home Services here.
9. Take care of your skin.
Winter weather can be harsh on your skin, causing uncomfortable dryness, irritation, and rashes. So, caring for your skin should be a top priority for senior winter wellness. Here are a few skincare winter health tips for seniors:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Use a mild, hydrating cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils.
- Apply a rich moisturizer to your face and body. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides.
- Wear sunscreen. Even when it’s cold outside, sunlight can cause sunburn and skin damage.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the indoor air. Humidifiers also keep your lungs and nasal passages hydrated.
- hot showers can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving you dry and flaky. Opt for lukewarm showers instead.
- Wear gloves outside to protect your hands from the cold and wind. Keep a rich hand cream nearby to apply throughout the day.
- Use a moisturizing lip balm to prevent chapped lips. Look for ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil.
Stock up on skincare products with GoGo pharmacy delivery. You can get deliveries from local pharmacies on any health products you need – from moisturizers to prescriptions to essential medical equipment. Learn more about GoGo pharmacy delivery here.
10. Try indoor light therapy.
Winter blues are real; as the days get shorter and colder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can lead to depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness, irritability, sleep changes, difficulty concentrating, physical aches and pains, and headaches.
One of the most effective winter health tips for seniors who suffer from winter depression is lnatural light exposure. Exposure to sun light, especially in the morning, can positively impact mood and help regulate sleep patterns. Even just fifteen minutes of sun light shows dramatic benefits. Spend time outdoors in the morning or early afternoon. If it’s too cold or icy, consider investing in an indoor light therapy lamp to encourage your body’s natural circadian rhythm.
11. Plan social outings for senior winter wellness.
Maintaining social connections is one of the most fundamental winter health tips for seniors. Regular social activities help fight off feelings of loneliness and depression. Whether it’s a stroll in the park, a visit to a local museum, or visiting with a friend, social outings provide fun, laughter, and a change of scenery to your senior winter wellness routine. Use GoGo Rides to travel to social events safely, quickly, and reliably.
12. Use alternative transportation options.
Navigating winter weather is a challenge, but transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to doing what you love. Consider alternative transportation options like GoGoGrandparent.
GoGo Rides offers reliable, convenient rides for seniors. Call one of our friendly operators, let us know where you’d like to go, and we’ll send a screened professional driver to take you. Behind the scenes, our GoGo Guardians vet drivers and monitor your rides so you can feel safe knowing someone’s looking out for you.
Whether you use GoGo Rides to get to a medical appointment, the gym, or a social event, you’ll find GoGo an easy, safe, and comfortable alternative to driving on icy, traffic-heavy roads.
13. Sleep more (but not too much).
Establishing good sleep habits is a senior winter wellness essential. Adequate sleep contributes to physical and mental wellbeing, immune function, memory and concentration, and more. Insufficient sleep may lead to cognitive decline, impaired immune function, worsening mood disorders, and an increased risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
On the flip side, excessive sleep may also have negative health implications, like increasing the risk for certain health conditions like cardiovascular issues and metabolic disorders. So, balance is key.
Here are some winter health tips for seniors looking to optimize their sleep schedule:
- The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night for adults. However, individual needs vary, so pay attention to your body’s sleep signals.
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day for optimal senior winter wellness.
- Create a comfortable sleep environment that’s quiet, dark, and cozy.
- Limit stimulants throughout the day like caffeine and nicotine.
- Engage in regular exercise to promote better sleep, but avoid strenuous activity close to bedtime.
- Get light early in the morning, which helps tune your circadian rhythm.
- Avoid heavy meals close to bedtime, which can make it hard to stay asleep. However, a light snack before bed helps if you tend to get hungry through the night.
- If you’re tired, take a nap or go to bed early. Listen to your body’s signals to ensure optimal senior winter wellness.
14. Schedule a doctor’s visit.
Regular health checkups are key to catching and managing health issues. Prioritize your senior winter wellness by checking in with your healthcare professionals for customized winter health precautions. Consider vaccination options, like the flu and shingles shots, to help reduce your risk of getting ill.
Winter health tips for seniors
With these winter health precautions, you can navigate the cold season with confidence and energy. You’re sure to have a healthy, warm, cozy season if you prioritize a senior winter wellness plan that incorporates these winter health tips for seniors,
When you want to stay warm and cozy inside, call on GoGo to do your chores for you. GoGo’s delivery services will bring you food, meals, prescriptions, and household goods. GoGo home services will help you prioritize house winter safety for older adults, and GoGoRides will take you wherever you want to go.
Click here to learn more about how our services can help you achieve your senior winter wellness goals.
