Seniors - The Importance of Keeping Warm in Winter |
Posted: December 3, 2018 |
As people get older their bodies respond differently to the cold weather, and a drop in the temperature can leave seniors more at risk of serious health problems. However, when it comes to elderly care there are a few simple things that you can do to make sure that you stay safe, heathy, comfortable and warm this winter. Keeping yourself warmEven if the weather isn’t too severe during the winter months, the drop in the temperature can still make the elderly more susceptible to certain illnesses but there are plenty of things that you can do to keep yourself warm which should hopefully ward off illness. Make sure that you wrap up warmly during the daytime. Several thing layers of clothing is better than one thick layer. Thin layers help to trap the warm air, if you are too warm you can always remove one layer. Wool and fleecy fabrics are better than cotton fabrics for keeping you warm and don’t forget tights or socks. You can warm your bed up at night with a hot water bottle, make sure it is securely fastened shut, or an electric blanket – you should check if the one that you have can be kept switched on all night as some cant. If you have any health issues you should check with your health care provider that using an electric blanket is right for you. Keep an eye on the weather forecast so that you can keep warmer as the temperature drops. Keeping your home warmHeating costs are not cheap but there are things that you can do to make sure that the cost as little as possible. Make sure that your house is well insulated as this can really make a huge difference. In the evening make sure that you close your curtains, and if possible use curtains with a thermal lining, this can really help to keep the heat in. Use draught excluders at the base of your external doors to help keep the cold out. It can be tempting to have your bedroom window a little open at night but make sure that it is closed during the colder weather. It is coldest just before dawn and breathing in that cold air can increase the risk if chest infections in the vulnerable. Rather than heating your whole house concentrate on heating your main living room, this should be around 21°C. You should try and heat your bedroom to around 18°C. It is a good idea to have your heating and boiler checked every year before the cold weather starts so that you can be confident that it is working as efficiently as possible once it does start to get cold. Learn about the timer on your heating system and set it so that your heating can come on a little earlier in the morning so you home is warmed up when you wake up. If you have a home care agency they should be able to help you with this if necessary.
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