By |
As a family caregiver, you want to do everything you can to keep your loved one safe and healthy. How you approach that changes over time, and even varies with the changing seasons.
For instance, keeping someone safe during the summer can include caution about the heat and sun, staying hydrated, or even watching out for various insects that can lead to painful bites and stings. In the winter, you’re dealing with freezing temps and the fall hazards of ice and snow.
An emergency alert system for seniors and elderly adults can help provide a good level of protection for your loved one, however there are other things you can do to make sure they’re safe. This might be especially true in the fall season, as autumn can be a dangerous time of year for anyone, especially seniors. Here’s what you can do to make sure your loved one is as safe as possible as the leaves turn.
1. Use Caution When Driving
Did you know that wet leaves can be as slippery as ice? The roads might look lovely when the brightly-colored leaves begin to fall, but that beauty hides hazards that you must be aware of as you drive your loved one to the doctor or run errands with them in the car.
If your loved one is driving themselves, encourage them to drive during the day, when the sunlight can reveal road hazards that leaves and other autumn debris might cover up. Driving at night can be especially fraught with danger as winter approaches, thanks to animals trying to gather the last of their food for a long winter. In fact, State Farm reports that your odds of hitting an animal on the road are about one in 115, and those collisions are most likely to happen during the months of October, November, and December.1
Keep in mind as well that Daylight Savings Time ends in autumn, and during those few weeks of adjustment after the change, the sunlight during the early morning hours can seem different. That can lead to distraction, disorientation, and potential danger.
2. Take Vehicles in for Service
Before you let your loved one behind the wheel, make sure the vehicle is ready to go and as safe as it can be. This means taking it to the dealership or mechanic for a thorough tune-up and inspection before fall arrives. The tires should have ample tread and be in good alignment. All lights should illuminate and the heat should be in good working order. All fluids should be topped off so that no one has to feel that moment of “uh oh” when the check engine light comes on. And try to make sure the gas tank stays at least half full from now until spring. Unexpected low temperatures can freeze a gas tank that is less than half full, and if you or your loved one get stuck in traffic or even stranded, a full tank of gas could mean the difference between staying warm inside the car and suffering dire consequences. A mobile medical alert with fall detection is a handy device for any emergency, not just health issues. You can press the alert button and get help fast for any reason, day or night.
3. Clean Up Outside
According to the National Council on Aging, about 30% of all falls happen outside the home.2 That might mean tripping over the water hose that was left to snake across the lawn, slipping on the wet leaves while walking to the mailbox, or falling down the front steps while trying to carry groceries.
To avoid these problems, start by cleaning up any debris or trip hazards in the yard. Put everything where it is expected to be so that there are no surprises. Rake up the leaves into neat piles and if the neighborhood has a leaf collection program, make sure to participate. Install handrails on the steps if they aren’t present already, and consider adding traction strips to the steps as well. An affordable, on-the-go fall alert for your precious loved one is always a great idea to ensure senior safety and protection.
4. Prepare the Home for the Season
Autumn means that the days will grow darker, so more light in the home will help everyone get around safely. Now is the time to add extra lightbulbs and lamps here and there. Check the overhead light fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs. Motion-sensing lights are also a great idea, especially in hallways and bathrooms, where seniors might need a little extra light in the middle of the night but don’t want to fumble for a switch.
Clear out any clutter that could be a trip hazard. Take care to tuck away extension cords that are used to light up holiday decorations. Make sure there are plenty of batteries for radios in case of a weather event and plenty of jar candles in case the power goes out. (Jar candles are much more stable than taper candles or similar types, which lowers the risk of fire.)
Now is also the perfect time to test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s wise to get an annual maintenance check on the furnace and other heating systems in the home to make sure everything is in good working order as the nights get colder and colder. And make sure there are lots of blankets and warm clothing available, just in case.
5. Get Seasonal Vaccines
This applies to both you and your loved one. Vaccines for the flu and Covid should be tops on your list, as these highly contagious infections can make everyone sick and can lead to serious consequences, especially for the elderly. Other seasonal vaccines, such as those for pneumonia and RSV, should also be high on your list.
While it’s a good idea to make sure that your loved one has the vaccines, you as a family caregiver need to have them as well. Fortunately, these vaccinations are usually entirely free and available not only at the doctor’s office but at local pharmacies and clinics as well. You might not even need an appointment!
While you’re at the pharmacy, make sure to pick up anything you might need if you or your loved one do contract the flu or some other seasonal virus. Look for tissues, cough drops, and any over-the-counter medications that will fight symptoms, but ask your loved one’s doctor what is okay for them to take, considering that they might be on a variety of prescription medications or have chronic conditions that could limit what over-the-counter meds are safe for them.
6. Get an Affordable Medical Alert System with Fall Detection
Medical alert systems for seniors, especially those panic buttons with fall detection, are a good idea anytime, during any season. During autumn, an emergency alert button can come in very handy for anything from a slip and fall on the wet leaves to an accident while cooking in the kitchen to a medical concern while out and about in town. A medical alert device is protection against any potential health problem your loved one might face.
And while it’s very helpful for them when caregivers are not around – and provides the caregiver with peace of mind that their loved one can get help whenever they need it – it’s also a good thing for them even when you’re right there with them. If an emergency of any type does occur, you don’t have to fumble for your cell phone or leave their side. Simply press the button and help will be on the line in a matter of seconds.
7. Keep Immune Systems Healthy and Strong
As autumn hits, so do the viruses that can make so many of us very sick. These viruses are especially dangerous for seniors and the elderly, as they can lead to serious consequences. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that the elderly accounted for 75% of deaths among those infected with Covid-19 in 2022.3 Much of that number can be attributed to chronic conditions that might make Covid worse, as well as the weakened immune systems of the elderly.
To avoid this deadly problem, keep your senior safe with a few tips:
· Wash your hands regularly and encourage your loved one to do the same. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help ensure that you kill off the viruses that cling to your skin, which can be everything from the minor common cold to serious strains of influenza.
· Prepare healthy, balanced meals for your loved one, including foods loaded with antioxidants. Go for plenty of sweet potato, broccoli, cranberries, and pumpkin, as well as roasted turkey.
· Get a good night of sleep and encourage your loved one to do the same. Seven to nine hours is usually the sweet spot. Not only can it improve your mental health and overall wellness, it can also help keep your immune system healthy and help you fight off the variety of illnesses that pop up in the fall.
· Get out and exercise with your loved one. Make sure the exercise is dependent upon what they are physically able to do. For some, that might be a leisurely walk to the mailbox, while for others, it could be vigorous game of pickleball. The fresh air and activity can work wonders not only for your body, but for your mood as well.
Finally, remember to take care of you. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take breaks now and then, call in respite care if you need to do so, and always take the time to breathe deep and be grateful for each new day. Alert1 wishes family caregivers and their loved ones a safe and healthy autumn!
