Winter Safety Tips for Seniors: Preparing Your Loved Ones

During the winter months we all need to be aware of winter safety. Things can be very difficult for seniors, and not only because of the cold and harsh seasonal temperatures. Potential dangers are everywhere, from seasonally large power bills to slippery sidewalks and dangerous driving conditions. Occasional winter weather surprises the people of Portland, Oregon, with ice storms, bitter cold temperatures and high winds, and our elderly loved ones will need more care and attention this season. With that in mind, here are the most important winter safety tips to help keep your senior loved ones cared for and safe.

Reduce Fall Risks

The biggest danger that seniors face during the winter is the risk of falling down. Falls can lead to broken bones, which are serious for everyone, especially the elderly. You'll certainly want to salt down icy patches around the house, and ideally arrange it so that your elderly loved ones don't have to go out, at least not unaccompanied, during the most extreme winter days. But even once they get inside, melted snow from boots could lead to a fall risk. Make sure they have slip-proof paths with something to grab onto nearby, even when indoors.

For those of us who would climb up a ladder to string holiday lights or clean out gutters, be careful. Follow these easy tips to keep your footing when you are working outside or walking:

• If you must climb, there's no substitute for a ladder
• Use slip-resistant tacky strips for walkways and stairs
• Wear slip-resistant shoes
• Keep your hips above your feet, with your center of gravity directly over your feet, for better stability
• Use short steps or shuffle forward and walk flat-footed
• Wear mittens to keep your hands out of your pockets
• Link arm in arm with another person (not their hand) when walking on a slick surface

For a closer look at safe footing around the house, here is a helpful 8 page booklet on home safety assessment for the elderly from our friends at the CDC. It may take a bit of time to make a safe place, but it will all be worthwhile.

Clearing Snow, Ice and Trees Outside

It may surprise you to know that property owners or tenants are responsible for shoveling the snow and removing ice from in front of their homes. This may be tough for our senior loved ones. Some elderly homeowners or people with disabilities may have physical challenges or risk injury in the snow and ice. Check in with neighbors who might lend a hand, and look into a simple chore service; this could be the neighbor with a leaf blower hired to blow the snow. There are also groups in your local church who offer aid to members and non-members.

Keep trees trimmed away from the home. These could break during wind storms or under heavy snow or ice and damage the house. Report downed trees to the city where you live. In Portland, dial 503-823-T-R-E-E.

Keep the Home at a Safe Temperature

Loss of heat could lead to a serious problem for your loved one. Make sure the thermostat is set to at least 68 degrees and check all the insulation in the home to make sure no unnecessary heat is escaping. You may also wish to schedule maintenance for the furnace to make sure it will work properly throughout the winter, and fill the tank with heating oil if necessary.

Many agencies, such as Multnomah County, do their best to help people who struggle to afford their winter heating bill. Contact 2-1-1 info to find agencies that can help with heating bills. Multnomah County also offers a weatherization program for low-income families who want to make their homes more energy efficient or to have a furnace inspected. Your local churches also have many avenues to help your senior loved one, whether they are a member or not.

Use Space Heaters and Fireplaces Safely

Local fire departments report an uptick in families using space heaters to keep rooms warm. Be cautious when using space heaters. Buy a new one each year, as they should comply with the latest codes, and never cover them with flammable material. Cold weather may also lead to building fires in the fireplace, if your elderly loved one has one. It's fine if they want to make a fire, as long as you have determined they can do so safely.

Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Fireplaces and alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating or cooking can cause carbon monoxide to build up in a home, garage, or camper and poison the people and animals inside. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion. If you suspect someone has been poisoned by carbon monoxide, get to fresh air immediately and call 9-1-1. It's critical to make sure all the alarms are functioning properly in case of an unforeseen mishap. Here are some basic safe home heating tips:

• Install a carbon monoxide detector
• Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms
• Have any furnace or chimney inspected and serviced by a professional
• Never use the oven to heat the home
• Don't leave fires unattended
• Turn off space heaters when you leave
• If you smell gas, leave and call the gas company or fire department

Stock Up on Emergency Supplies

Your senior loved ones should have at least a week's worth of their prescription medications and three or four days' worth of water and non-perishable food easily accessible to them at all times during the winter. They should also have an emergency kit with first aid, flashlights, fully charged batteries and blankets in case of a sudden power outage. Check the kit to make sure it's up to date and verify the batteries work.

Make a Plan for Power Outages

Make sure you and your elderly loved one have gone over a plan for what to do should the power go out during the winter. This includes knowing where the emergency supplies are, knowing who to contact and how to contact them, and knowing where to go if they have to leave the house. After a storm, avoid walking near downed or low-hanging power lines. When the lights go out, here's who to call:

• PGE: Report an outage or check the outage map
• Pacific Power: Report an outage or check the outage map

Make Sure They Have a Working Cell Phone

In the modern era, there's no reason for any elderly loved one not to have a working cell phone. Make sure yours does, and that they know how to keep it charged. Program in your number as well as emergency numbers so they can contact whom they need to with just the press of a single button.

Make Sure They Dress Warm

You want your elderly loved ones to be comfortable, but you also need to make sure they are dressed warmly enough for the weather, especially when they go outside. Layers of clothing, a warm hat, coat, scarf, socks and gloves are strongly recommended for when your senior loved ones leave the house during the cold winter months.

Stay in Contact and Support Their Wellbeing

If you normally see your loved one once a week or less, then take it up to twice a week during the winter. If you normally see them twice a week, consider stopping by every day, if possible. Winter can lead to seasonal depression, especially in seniors, and paying them visits can lift their spirits and help them get through a sometimes depressing part of the year.

Small supports can make a big difference. Try finding a home-delivered meals company that will deliver in the snow; there are many to choose from these days, such as Meals on Wheels, or your local church can help. If a boost in wellbeing or attitude is needed, there is also telephone reassurance, and online coaching or counseling can be especially helpful to seniors shut inside during the cold weather months. Check to see what is available in your area, and find more ways to make sure seniors in your life are prepared for cold weather.

What Is a Warming Shelter?

If you find yourself without heat or comfort during a winter storm, there is county help. Warming shelters open in the tri-county area for anyone who needs them. To get to a warming shelter in Multnomah County:

• Call 211 to find a shelter near you
• Ride TriMet for free to get to a warming shelter

If you see someone suffering due to the cold:

• Call the non-emergency response line at 503-823-3333 to request a welfare check
• If someone's life is in danger, call 911

This Winter, Your Loved Ones Will Thank You for Taking Special Care

Following these basic precautions will go a long way towards keeping your elderly loved ones safe, happy and healthy during the cold winter season. Of course, the best thing you can do for your loved ones is be there for them. Make sure they know that needing assistance is nothing to be ashamed of, and people of all ages require and benefit from the help of their loved ones. Love, care and attention are the best things you can provide for the special elderly individuals in your life, no matter what time of year.

Helpful Resources

• Find Care Facilities for Your Loved One
• Explore residential care homes for the elderly
• Long term care planning with our friends at ACL
• HUD information for senior citizens, including assistance with senior housing

Winter months get tough, and this may be a good time to find a place for Mom with the warmth of hearth and home. Golden Placements specialists can help you find the right location, at no cost to your family. Questions? Call 503-723-7145 or contact us to see which services are right for a senior in your life.