Help Seniors Stay Safe This Winter with Tips from Our Senior Helpers in St. Louis

Those of us living in St. Louis know: winters can be beautiful one moment and downright dangerous the next! Blustery storms leave gorgeous scenery in their wake, beckoning us to come out and explore, regardless of our age. For seniors, there are a variety of hazards – some quite obvious, such as slipping on icy walkways, and others more subtle and unexpected, like carbon monoxide poisoning and nutritional deficiencies. Contact us online or call us at 314-432-4312 to learn more about how we can help your loved one with top-quality senior in-home care.

Compassionate Nursing Services wants to help your older loved ones enjoy the winter season while remaining safe. These tips can help:

• Avoid falls. While ice poses a risk to everyone, seniors who slip and fall face greater complications from trauma such as broken bones. In fact, injuries from falls are a leading cause of death in seniors. To help older adults stay safe when venturing out in winter weather, make sure boots with good traction are worn, and that walkways are cleared and salted. Also be careful when returning inside, as snow and ice on the shoes will quickly melt and cause slippery conditions.
• Dress warmly. It goes without saying that a heavy coat, hat, scarf and gloves are a must, but even indoors, seniors can become chilled. Dressing in layers and keeping the thermostat at a comfortable setting will help.
• Beat the blues. Feelings of isolation and loneliness during the long winter months can result in wintertime depression in seniors. It’s important to check on senior loved ones often, ideally through in-person visits or if out of the area, through frequent phone calls. It’s also a good idea to enlist the help of neighbors to check in on the senior periodically, or engage the services of a professional home care agency such as Compassionate Nursing Services.
• Be prepared. Power outages during winter storms can be especially dangerous. Make sure the senior’s home is stocked with plenty of warm blankets, flashlights, batteries, water and non-perishable foods that can be prepared without electricity. Create an emergency plan to make sure the senior will be safe and well in the event of an extended outage.

For more winter safety tips, call on Compassionate Nursing Services. We can provide in-home care services to enhance your senior loved one’s overall wellbeing; from personal care and homemaker services, to transportation and accompaniment to medical appointments or fun outings, to skilled nursing care such as ventilator and tracheotomy care, tube feedings, medication management, and more.

Give us a call at 314-432-4312 to arrange for an in-home consultation or to learn more about the best senior home care in St. louis and the surrounding areas.