By |
Winter weather is almost upon us, and it’s predicted to be particularly cold in many areas of the country this year. For seniors and elderly adults, the cold temperatures and treacherous ice can quickly become a serious threat.
As a caregiver, by starting preparations right now, you and your senior loved ones can have peace of mind when the winter weather hits hard.
But you don’t have to go it alone. Your loved one can help you figure out a game plan to handle power outages and other weather-related issues. Empower them by offering information they need, like this CDC page on emergency prep for older adults.1 Talk to them about it – they might have some ideas to share.
Read on for caregiving tips to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible.
Preparing for a Shelter in Place
In most cases, a weather emergency means that you want to stay in and off the roads. When hurricanes are bearing down, we evacuate. When tornadoes come, we get to a safer structure, preferably a basement. When floods come, we quickly get to higher ground.
But when winter weather comes, there’s little you can do but stay where you are and try to keep warm. Planning to shelter in place means preparing the home for the rigors of the winter storm coming your way, as well as ensuring that everyone inside the house has what they need.
Find the Cold Air
Drafts in the home can easily bring a chill, especially if the power goes out. Well before that happens, look for places where cold air gets into the home. The most common place is around windows and doors; according to the Department of Energy, about 30% of a home’s energy is lost through the windows alone.2
Sometimes you can actually see the energy flowing away; you can do this with a simple stick of incense. Here’s how: turn off all circulating air systems in the house. When the air is still, light a stick of incense. Carry that stick slowly around the house, holding it close to doors and windows. In a well-sealed area, the smoke should rise up in a straight line from the stick. But when you encounter a draft, it will move the smoke. Make note of places in the home where the smoke moves. That’s where you need to work on things.
Weather stripping around the doors and windows can help tremendously. You can also use temporary shrink-wrap on the windows to provide an extra layer of protection. Draft-stoppers at the bottom of the doors can keep cold air from flowing in. These all work in a pinch, but if you want to really dive into energy savings and keeping the house warm, look at long-term solutions such as window replacement and added insulation in the walls and floors.
Clean the Gutters
This is something that needs to happen before the snow hits. The gutters channel rain and snowmelt from the roof and into downspouts, which release the water in a way that doesn’t soak your home’s foundation.
When gutters are clogged, the water can spill over, creating pockets of ice on the ground below. It can also mean that water backs up on the roof and turns to ice, putting pressure on the home’s structure and potentially leading to serious leaks.
Lessen the ice buildup on the roof and mitigate the fall risk of ice on the ground by cleaning the gutters of all the leaves and debris that have fallen over the autumn season.
Ensure No-Slip Entrances and Exits
Now is the time to use non-skid treads on the outdoor steps. If you have a ramp for a wheelchair, make sure the non-skid strips on the ramp are fresh and new. Use generous salt to melt the ice that accumulates, and of course have a shovel handy to get rid of any snow that may accumulate.
Install handrails on the sides of the steps, if you haven’t already. Having something to hold onto can help greatly when trying to get down icy stairs. If a fall does occur, remember that time is of the essence when it’s cold outside. Do what you can to get your loved one inside (if it’s safe to move them) and immediately use an emergency button alarm to get help fast.
Have a Medical Alert Device Handy
Speaking of life-saving senior alert systems, it’s a good idea to have one in place well before a weather emergency. The at-home medical alert pendant has a battery backup on the base station that lasts for at least 24 hours. This helps ensure that you have constant coverage as long as you are within the usual 600-foot range of the base station. On-the-go devices are also available.
Make sure your loved one is wearing their medical alarm at all times. In the event of any type of emergency, caregivers and their loved ones can have the peace of mind that reaching out to a monitoring center will be easy and seamless.
Clean Up the Living Space
A serious fall is the last thing anyone wants to deal with during a winter storm. To help avoid that awful possibility, work on clearing clutter from the home. Make sure there are no trip hazards that could lead to an accident. Tuck away any extension cords and make sure all walkways are clear.
Remember that during a power outage, the best light you might have is from flashlights – so all the clutter needs to be gone, leaving a clear pathway that can be navigated in low light.
The Essential Items Needed in an Emergency
Once the home is safe and secure, consider what is needed for the harshest of the winter weather. Start by making a list of the things that are must-haves for your loved one, such as certain medications, batteries for a CPAP machine, a lantern or safety light, etc.
This preparedness checklist from the American Red Cross can help.3 Here are some additional tips:
· Water. Have at least one gallon of water on hand per person, per day, for at least three days. Also consider unique needs, such as water that might be necessary for certain medical equipment or extra water for those who need a higher intake.
· Non-perishable food. You should have a minimum three-day supply of food that doesn’t need refrigeration or preparation, such as canned goods. Keep in mind that you need the right foods for your elderly loved one. For instance, if they have trouble with swallowing or chewing, a stack of energy bars won’t matter – you’ll need to stock soft foods they can easily consume. And don’t forget that electric can openers can’t be used in a power outage.
· Medications and medical supplies. In addition to plenty of extra medication, think about the medical care your loved one needs right now and plan accordingly by getting those extra supplies before winter truly descends. If there are things that must be kept refrigerated, like insulin, have a small cooler that can be quickly filled with ice when the power goes out to keep certain medications cold.
· Battery backups (if necessary). Look at the items that your loved one uses on a regular basis, such as a power wheelchair or a CPAP machine. Acquire battery backups for each of those things and keep them charged, just in case.
· A good source of warmth. Have plenty of blankets and quilts on hand. Also have thick, comfortable socks and cotton gloves to keep everyone warm. Consider a space heater that doesn’t require electricity. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, that’s perfect for keeping the house toasty. No matter the option you choose, make sure to have carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home and never leave the heat source unattended.
· A list of emergency contacts. Make a list that includes all the emergency contacts your loved one might need. This can include the direct numbers to the police and fire department, doctor’s office, pharmacy, closest neighbors, friends, and family members who could help out in a pinch. Put it where it can be easily found, such as on the refrigerator.
· The little things. At least one bright flashlight for each person, as well as plenty of batteries to keep them going, is essential. So is a first-aid kit that includes basic pain relievers and bandages, a charged cell phone (or two), and a battery-powered radio to get information from the outside world when computers and tvs are down.
If the power stays out for too long and you must leave the home, you should have a few other things on hand. Make sure you have all personal documents, including identification cards, medical cards or records, copies of prescriptions, and the like in a waterproof container. Also have some emergency cash, as a power outage could mean no access to ATMs. And keep the car full of gas during the winter months, so that you know you can get to where you need to go without worrying about gas stations being out of power.
Be Prepared for Any Scenario
If you are not there with your loved one when severe weather strikes, make sure they can get in touch with you. If they can’t, reach out to the local authorities and ask for a well-being check. You can also get in touch with their neighbors or a local family member to go check on them, if possible.
Talk to your loved one about what to do if they must evacuate or if sheltering in place will last for more than a day or so. It’s important to create a plan on how to get to them yourself or get them to a warm shelter. Talk with friends, family, and neighbors about possible plans to get them to safety if the need arises.
An alert system for elderly adults can serve as a strong safety net. By choosing the right button alarm from Alert1, you can be rest assured that if your loved one needs assistance at any time, day or night, they can reach out to the trained professionals at the monitoring center. They will be able to accurately assess the situation and send the help necessary for your loved one, and stay on the line with them until that help arrives. It’s another layer of protection that provides incredible peace of mind. Alert1 wishes caregivers and their loved ones warmth and safety throughout the winter season ahead!
