Dropping temperatures, cold morning breeze, and chilly nights mark the beginning of the winter season, making it tricky for the Elders. They may need attention and care during this time of the year with the increased risk of pneumonia, asthma, wheezing, flu and more.
To help our elderly stay warm and healthy during winter, we have listed some tips :
Increase Indoor Physical Activity:
Staying indoors during winters is essential, but it decreases the physical activity needed to keep fit. The cold season may cause stiff joints and body pain due to decreased physical activity. Elders can practice some light physical exercises to enhance blood circulation and oxygen flow in the body. It can be something simple as taking a stroll inside the house for 10 minutes after every meal or stretching to loosen up the joints and muscles.
Stay Warm:
Exposure to cold temperatures for long periods can cause hyperthermia. This condition causes a sudden drop in body temperature, which can prove very dangerous for the elderly. They must stay warm and cosy throughout winter to ensure their safety from such health problems. One can keep the cold at bay by wearing proper winter clothing or by layering their clothes, adding blankets and comforters to their bedding, and drinking hot beverages to keep the cold away.
Hydration is Essential:
We don’t feel thirsty in the winters, but Elderly people, even on normal days, don’t feel thirsty. There is a high chance of dehydration, and it is advised that they drink 2-3 litres of lukewarm water every day. Ensure that they are well hydrated during the winter season by keeping a hot water bottle handy. Some amount of water can be replaced by fresh juices, soups, and hot beverages.
Build a cheerful atmosphere:
Staying in all day can get boring, and lack of interaction and movement can dull the mind and body. There are ways to keep them engaged and entertained by giving them access to their favourite music or books. You can also invite their loved ones over for a cup of coffee or a meal and keep the winter blues away. Ensure that you keep the Elderly safe and cheer them up in these harsh winters because a healthy mind results in a healthy body.
Consume Healthy Food:
It’s essential to keep a check on food intake during the cold season. A healthy diet helps build immunity. Ensure that their diet is fibre rich as it keeps them energetic in the winters. Here are some foods that can be added to their diet:
Fresh fruits and vegetable juices, eggs, soups, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, whole grains, milk and nuts.
Lukewarm water body clean up:
A hot shower takes away the winter shivers making us feel better, but for the elderly, it might overly dry up their skin which might further lead to excessively dry skin, cracks and eczema. A hot shower can be exchanged with a lukewarm water body cleanup, making them feel good and at the same time help retain the moisture of the skin.
Take Care of Skin:
Cold weather can constrict the sweat glands making the skin extremely dry. It’s vital to moisturize their skin regularly with moisturizers and increase water intake to keep the skin hydrated and happy.
At Home Physiotherapy Sessions:
Elders needing physiotherapy, respiratory or speech therapy might find it challenging to go out for therapy sessions in the winters. At Kites, we offer therapy sessions as per the needs of your loved one at the comfort of their home. You can contact us(hyperlink) or visit our website for more details on KITES Senior Care. (hyperlink)
We hope the above winter care tips will help you look after your elderly loved ones better. Thank you for reading.