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Author: Home Helpers Home Care

Home Care Assistance in Cedar Lake, IN and Surrounding Areas

Getting outside and enjoying some fresh air is an important part of staying healthy year-round, but these cold winter months bring certain dangers that must be avoided to keep your elderly loved one safe.

Three Common Safety Concerns During the Winter Months

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when a person’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees. While it can occur quickly when outside in frigid temps, it can also occur if an elderly person is in a home that isn’t well heated, or they aren’t dressed appropriately for the lower temps. Hypothermia can damage the heart and other organs. Signs of hypothermia include:

• Uncontrollable Shivering
• Cold extremities like the hands and feet
• A puffy or swollen face
• Pale skin
• Slurred speech
• Feeling extremely sleepy.

If your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, move her to a warm place, offer warm drinks, and call the doctor right away.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when the skin exposed to extremely cold temperatures freezes. In some parts of the country that have extremely cold temperatures, exposed skin can develop frostbite in mere minutes. It is most common on the extremities like fingers, toes, nose, and chin. Tell-tale signs of frostbite include skin that looks waxy and is a different color than the skin around it, numbness in the affected area, and blistering upon rewarming.

Falling

Winter provides some extra falling hazards with snow and ice that cover the ground and even the railings that your loved one may use for support when outside. Because it gets dark earlier in the winter months, it also makes it more difficult to see things like ice on the sidewalks until it’s too late.

The best strategy is to go slow, use someone or something to hold onto, and always wear shoes or boots that are non-skid when leaving the home.

Health Conditions that Need Extra Care in the Winter

Some medical conditions can either get worse in the cold winter months or may cause your loved one to struggle more in the winter. If your loved one has any of these conditions, she should take extra precautions during the coldest parts of the year.

• Arthritis. Cold temps can make arthritis flare and make some tasks such as dressing herself or making meals more difficult.
• Hypothyroidism may make it difficult for your loved one to stay warm.
• Diabetes can slow blood flow, making staying warm more difficult.
• Cognitive issues may prevent your loved one from making wise clothing choices when heading outside.

Keep Your Loved One Safe with Regular Home Care Assistance

If your loved one lives alone, winter is a great time to have a home care assistance provider make regular visits to ensure that she is doing well throughout the cold, winter months. A home care assistance provider can help ensure sidewalks and outdoor stairs are safe for walking on, help her monitor her indoor home temperature, and even provide some nice hearty meals to keep her warm during the coldest nights. Home care assistance providers can also alert you if there are areas that they have concerns about such as the temp of the home being kept too low or needing to have someone come over to take care of an icy sidewalk.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care assistance in Cedar Lake, IN, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers Home Care of NW Indiana today at (219) 244-2533.

Home Helpers Home Care of NW Indiana provides exceptional home and facility care for seniors in Highland, Munster, Crown Point, Schererville, Dyer, Saint John, Valparaiso, Cedar Lake, Griffith, Lowell and the surrounding areas.