Few things rival the beauty of a snowy winter wonderland, but this picturesque season can bring many challenges for seniors. Frigid temperatures, icy sidewalks, and unpredictable weather can pose real senior safety risks.
However, with proper precautions, you can stay safe and comfortable throughout the winter months. Keep reading for our practical senior safety tips and home modifications for seniors to help you navigate winter concerns with confidence.
1. Protect against hypothermia
As we age, our bodies lose some ability to regulate temperature, making it harder to stay warm. This increases the risk of hypothermia, a serious threat to senior safety during winter.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 95°F, leading to severe health issues like irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and brain and organ damage. This can happen even at mild temperatures if you're exposed to wet conditions.
Senior safety: knowing the warning signs of hypothermia
It’s crucial to recognize the early warning signs of hypothermia and seek prompt medical help. Watch for these symptoms:
- Cold feet and hands
- Puffy or swollen face
- Pale skin
- Shivering or shaking
- Slowed or slurred speech
- Confusion
- Extreme fatigue
- Sudden anger or mood swings
- Stiffness
- Jerky arm and leg movements
- Slow breathing
- Loss of consciousness
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know is showing these signs, call 911 right away.
Tips to stay warm outdoors
Here are a few safety tips for seniors to stay warm and comfortable when outside this winter:
- Stay indoors. Limit outdoor activities on very cold or windy days.
- Keep warm blankets in your car. These will help you warm up after being outside.
- Dress in warm layers. Multiple layers of clothing trap warm air close to your body, keeping you warm. A hat, scarf, socks, and gloves also minimize heat loss.
- Wear a waterproof coat. Weather-proof gear is a must-have for senior safety in snowy, rainy, and damp conditions.
- Change out of damp clothes. Dry off and change into warm, dry clothing as soon as possible after going outside.
- Use hand and foot warmers. Consider disposable or rechargeable warming products, like Hothands.
- Avoid alcohol. It can impair your body’s ability to regulate temperature and increases fall risk.
- Consult with your doctor. Some medications and medical conditions affect the body’s ability to stay warm. Discuss potential side effects of your medications with your primary care physician.
2. Stay warm indoors with these safety tips for seniors
Staying warm inside is just as important to senior safety as staying warm outside. Here are some senior safety tips and home modifications for seniors to keep your home cozy and secure this winter.
- Monitor indoor temperatures. Keep your home warm, ideally between 68°F and 70°F. Use a programmable thermostat to maintain warmth, especially overnight.
- Use heavy, insulated curtains. These help retain heat and keep the cold out.
- Close off unused rooms. Shut the doors to less-frequented rooms to concentrate warmth in areas where you spend the most time.
- Seal drafts. Ensure gaps around doors and windows are sealed to prevent cold air from seeping in.
- Insulate Your Home: Adding insulation to your attic, walls, or basement improves heat retention and energy efficiency.
- Check your chimneys. Have a GoGo Home professional inspect your chimney and flues before using your fireplace to reduce the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Use a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air can make it feel warmer and prevent dry skin and respiratory issues, which are aggravated by cold, dry air.
- Use heating appliances safely. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for space heaters or electric blankets. Never use stoves as heat sources.
- Use GoGoGrandparent. A GoGo Home handyperson can help seal drafts, insulate your home, check chimneys, and more to promote senior safety.
- Layer up. Wear warm clothing like thermal underwear, socks, and cozy sweaters to retain body heat.
- Move around. Light physical activity such as stretching, walking, or yoga generates body heat to keep you warm.
- Use warm compression therapy. Applying warm compresses improves circulation and minimizes pain. Follow safety guidelines to avoid burns.
3. Senior safety during power outages
Power outages can leave you without heat, light, or food. Being prepared with these safety tips for seniors will help keep you warm and secure until the power is restored.
- Have backup power sources. Consider a portable generator to power essential devices like heaters, medical equipment, or mini-fridges.
- Use battery-powered lights. Well-lit spaces are important for senior safety, so keep your house illuminated with battery-powered flashlights and lanterns. Avoid using candles as they pose a fire risk.
- Keep your phone charged. Charge essential devices before a storm. Use a portable power bank to recharge during the outage.
- Have a plan for medications and medical equipment. Have a backup plan for electric medical devices, like using a generator or relocating temporarily. Make sure you have extra medication on hand; GoGo Pharmacy delivery can help you stock up before a storm.
- Unplug electronics. Disconnect sensitive electronics, like computers and TVs, to protect them from power surges.
- Conserve household heat. Close blinds and curtains to keep the warmth in. Limit opening doors or windows to prevent heat loss.
- Stock up on blankets. One of the easiest senior health tips is to always keep extra blankets readily available so you can warm up quickly, even in a power outage.
- Avoid opening the fridge. Having nutritious food on hand is vital for senior safety, so keep the refrigerator closed to maintain cold temperatures and prevent food spoilage.
- Prep emergency supplies. Keep an emergency kit with essentials such as non-perishable food, water, blankets, first-aid kits, and extra batteries.
- Stay informed. Use a battery-powered radio for weather, news, and emergency updates.
Here are some home modifications for seniors that will keep you safe during a power outage:
- Be cautious with space heaters. Never leave a space heater unattended, and keep it at least three feet from anything that can catch fire, like curtains or bedding.
- Never use stoves or ovens to heat your home. These can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you use a kerosene stove for cooking, consider cracking a window for ventilation.
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Ensure they’re working, and place them near potential sources of danger, such as fireplaces or gas stoves.
4. Senior safety tips for avoiding falls in cold weather
Falls are among the most common and dangerous winter hazards threatening senior safety. Falls can lead to severe injuries like fractures in the hips, wrists, and spine. Preventing falls is crucial for maintaining independence, mobility, and quality of life. Here are some practical fall-prevention safety tips for seniors:
- Wear boots with non-skid soles. Invest in high-quality winter boots with good traction to prevent slipping on ice and snow.
- Use an ice-pick attachment for your mobility device. Add winter attachments to canes or walkers for better grip, stability, and traction.
- Use GoGo Rides. Avoid driving in hazardous conditions by opting for a safe ride service like GoGo Rides.
- Wear grippy socks indoors. Non-slip socks with textured soles help prevent slips on hardwood or tile floors.
- Get deliveries with GoGoGrandparent. Have groceries, prescriptions, and takeout delivered right to your door with GoGoGrandparent. GoGo helps you have all your senior safety essentials on hand without having to brave the risky weather.
- Consider a medical alert system. A wearable alert device offers aid in case of a fall or emergency.
- Review your medications with your doctor. Some medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness, increasing the risk of falls. Ask your doctor for senior health tips specific to your medical history.
Implementing certain home modifications for seniors can further reduce the risk of falls and enhance senior safety:
- Remove clutter. Clear walkways of clutter or protruding furniture to eliminate tripping hazards.
- Install grab bars and handrails. Place them in the bathroom and near staircases for added support.
- Improve lighting. Enhancing visibility during short winter days helps promote visibility and senior safety.
- Use non-slip mats or rugs. Place them in areas prone to getting wet, like the bathroom, kitchen, and entryways.
- Secure loose rugs and carpets. Use non-stick mats or rug tape to keep them firmly in place.
- Keep frequently used items within reach. This minimizes the need to climb, bend, or stretch for necessary items.
- Hire help for snow removal and salting. Professional snow shovelers keep walkways clear and safe.
GoGo Home Maintenance connects you with local professionals skilled in home modifications for seniors. They can shovel your walkways, clean your home, do repairs, and so much more. Learn more about GoGo Home here.
5. Senior safety while driving
Winter driving can be particularly challenging, so we recommend using GoGo Rides to get where you need to go. But if you have to drive, these safety tips for seniors can help you get there safely:
- Winterize your car. Prep your car for winter by checking tire pressure, antifreeze levels, brakes, and the battery. Consider switching to winter tires for better traction.
- Avoid driving in severe weather: Stay off the roads during heavy snow, ice storms, or other hazardous conditions.
- Keep emergency supplies in your car. Stock your car with essentials like blankets, flashlights, water, and non-perishable snacks.
- Keep your gas tank full. This prevents the fuel line freezing and ensures you have enough fuel in case of emergencies.
- Drive cautiously. Reduce speed and increase your following distance in icy, wet conditions. Stopping distances are much longer on snow and ice.
- Use low beams in fog or snow. With fog, heavy snow, and rain, use low beams instead of high beams to improve visibility.
6. Senior health tips for preventing cold and flu
Winter brings an increase in flu and COVID cases, which can put older and immunocompromised adults at risk. Here are some health and safety tips for seniors to reduce your risk:
- Get vaccinated. Make sure you’re up to date on your flu, pneumonia, shingles, COVID-19, and any other immunizations your doctor recommends.
- Practice hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to kill germs.
- Don’t touch your face. Viruses can enter your body through the eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid touching your face to minimize the risk of infection.
- Wear a mask in crowded places. Even after the pandemic, wearing a mask is still one of the most effective senior health tips to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
- Avoid contact with sick people. Minimize exposure to those who are ill.
- Stay home if you’re unwell. Rest and recover at home to speed up your recovery and prevent spreading illness to others.
- Disinfect common surfaces. Prevent the spread of germs by regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in your home, like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
- Use a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air can help prevent dry nasal passages and reduce the risk of colds and flu.
- Stay informed. Keep up with local health advisories, and follow your doctor’s recommendations and senior safety advice.
Preventing colds also means taking care of your physical and mental wellbeing. Here are some senior health tips to strengthen your immune system:
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes.
- Prioritize sleep. Sleeping 7-8 hours each night promotes senior safety and health. Check out these 14 sleep tips for seniors to improve sleep quality.
- Eat a healthy diet. Focus on fruits, veggies, and whole grains to support your immune system. Foods high in vitamins C, D, and zinc are especially beneficial. Find healthy recipes and more senior health tips here.
- Manage stress. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system. Practice stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or light exercise.
- Stay active. Regular exercise, like walking or stretching, can boost your immune system and help your body fight off infections.
Winter safety tips for seniors
Senior safety doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these winter safety tips for seniors, you can navigate the winter season with warmth, comfort, and peace of mind.
GoGoGrandparent is here to help you stay safe, healthy, and comfortable all winter. Whether you need reliable rides or home maintenance services, we’ve got you covered. Register here to get started.
