Winter is a magical season that brings the biggest and most awaited festivals and family get-togethers. But this season can become significantly harsh for seniors. In 2022, exposure to cold directly caused 720 deaths across India, which is a significant rise from its previous year with 618 deaths. The winter season comes with its glaring risks including hypothermia.
Other major reasons behind senior deaths in winter include heart problems that get exacerbated due to cold temperatures, respiratory issues, and more. This is primarily due to the frailty and age-related challenges seniors face. They tend to become easily unaware of their surroundings and their body (whether the temperature is falling or not), which makes it challenging for them to survive the winter.
However, with proper knowledge and precautions, you can ensure your elderly parents stay safe and enjoy the season to the fullest. Here are some winter wellness tips for seniors that will help you take care of your parents this winter.
What Challenges Might Your Parents Face During Winter?
Before we discuss winter tips for seniors to help you keep your parents ready for winter, let’s learn about the common challenges this season brings for elderly people. We have listed below common medical conditions and seasonal challenges that make winter more dangerous for seniors-
1. Medical Conditions That Prevent Staying Warm
There are several chronic medical conditions seniors suffer that can interfere with their natural ability to stay warm during winter. This may include-
- Thyroid – It can affect the body’s natural ability to stay warm by disrupting the body’s metabolism and blood vessel dilation rate.
- Diabetes – Prevents regular blood flow and interfere with body temperature.
- Memory problems – This can lead to seniors forgetting about taking winter protection or taking measures to stay warm.
- Parkinson’s disease – Makes it challenging to put on multiple winter clothes or use a blanket.
- Arthritis – Also makes it difficult to wear winter clothes and get out of cold easily.
2. Medications Affecting Body Temperature
Seniors often use several medications that affect thermo-regulation, leading to difficulty in staying warm during winter. It can even lead to a significant drop in body temperature and increase the risk of hypothermia. Both OTC and prescription medications can cause drop in temperature, such as cold medicines, blood pressure medicines, and more.
3. Other Possible Winter Complications
· Frostbite
In extreme cold regions of North India, frostbite often leads to deaths and injuries in December and January. Around 72 people were reported to die due to frostbite in between January 2014 to November 2016. Frostbite is a type of skin injury caused by temperature falling below the freezing level. Having poor blood circulation or not wearing proper winter protection makes elderly people more prone to frostbite.
· Hypothermia
Hypothermia is another seasonal emergency that majorly affects seniors. It occurs when the core body temperature falls below 9°F. It is a result of being exposed to cold or freezing temperatures and causes serious health hazards. According to the latest study, almost10% of the population above the age of 65 years are at risk of hypothermia. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention or can be fatal.
. Others
Apart from medical and seasonal conditions, seniors also face other challenges during winter that can make them struggle to have a safe winter. Seniors often have low or poor body balance and vision. Plus, the wintery or mostly slippery surfaces both inside and outside of the house can increase their chances of falling, tripping and slipping. Such injuries can often become fatal for seniors.
Best Winter Wellness Tips for Your Aged Parents
Now that you have learned about the common challenges seniors face during winter, it’s time to equip yourself with the best winter wellness tips for seniors, so you can take care of your elderly parents well. Here are some tips to prevent each challenge that winter brings along-
1. Falling or Tripping
Falling is quite common during winter in India as often the chilling weather numbs the sensations of the elderly adults. Winter rains and smog can also heighten the chances of accidental falls outside. Here is what to do to prevent elders from falling due to wintery surfaces-
- Make sure that the steps and walkways are clear that your parents are using.
- To prevent slipping outside make them wear anti-skid shoes.
- If your parents use a cane for walking, ensure that the rubber tip is always replaced when it becomes worn out.
- Keep the house floor dry and clutter-free.
2. Winter Chills
Winter chills are quite common in seniors. Here is how to prevent it with the most effective winter wellness tips for seniors–
- Cover up – Ensure your parents are using enough winter clothes and essential winter protection especially when they are out or the temperature is significantly low.
- Watch out for early signs and take immediate measures – Check if your parents are feeling excessively the chills of winter. You can use hot water bags, and room heater if possible.
3. Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent a fatal condition. Here are some winter wellness tips for seniors to prevent hypothermia-
- Try to keep your parents inside whenever the temperature is too low outside.
- Keep indoors warmer, at least above 65° F.
- Keep your parents dry because cold chills can also cause hypothermia.
- Have proper winter essentials including hats, gloves, boots, scarves, nose and ear warmers.
- Dress them using thermals or two or three thin layers of clothing instead of one bulky cloth.
- Save energy for your indoors for power outages.
- Keep yourself updated about the local weather news and take proper measures.
- Include foods in their diet that help to keep them warm during cold days.
- Do not let them skip meals as this is a primary source of the body’s core temperature regulation.
- It is recommended to cut down on caffeine and alcohol and incorporate broth, soups and juices to keep them hydrated and warm.
4. Respiratory Illness Due to Fire Burning and Pollution
Unclean or under-maintained fireplaces or fire stoves can release carbon monoxide which can be lethal for humans, especially elderly people. Stubble burning in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh also leads to high rates of respiratory illness among elders. Here is how to keep your parents safe from carbon monoxide poisoning-
- Perform annual fuel and chimney inspections with professionals.
- Keep a little gap in a window when using a gas or kerosene heater/stove.
- Never use stoves, grills and kerosene heaters that are not meant for home heating.
- Not letting seniors to go outside when the air pollution rate is higher.
- Making them wear a mask.
5. Driving-Related Accidents
Your elderly parents should avoid driving during winter due to extreme fog or smog that occurs in India during winter mornings. However, if they insist, or it is unavoidable, here are some winter tips for seniors to keep them safe while driving-
- Drive during the broad daylight with a clear sky.
- Keep emergency items such as extra warm clothes, canned foods, dried foods, a first aid kit, windscreen scrappers, shoves, a flashlight, etc. in the car.
- Advise them not to drive on highways, overpasses and bridges.
Creative Ways to Keep Your Parents Active During Winter
The blues of winter are real, especially for elderly people. The damp, dark and cold weather locks them indoors without any social interaction. This can give rise to feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. Fragile mental and physical health can contribute to hypothermia and other health conditions in seniors.
Keeping them physically active is one of the best winter wellness tips for seniors to ensure remain healthy during winter. Because lack of physical activities during winter can make elders experience lethargy, sleep deprivation and other such issues. Below are some creative ways to keep your parents physically active during winter.
- You can consider hiring a company to keep your parents engaged. They will be able to play games, participate in fun activities and socialise with their companions.
- Look for senior centres and gyms in and around your locality that can offer exercise or dance classes, specifically designed for seniors.
- Emphasise more on in-house exercise. There are many in-house exercises that can keep your parents active during winter. Resistance-band exercise, stretching, chair yoga, and stationary bicycle are some of the options to explore for in-house exercise for elders.
Conclusion
Winters can be a stressful season that brings a cloud of worry if you have seniors in your family. The dark side of the season can lead to several complications from falling and accidents to cold and medical emergencies like hypothermia. But with proper winter tips, you can keep your parents safe and healthy during winter.
So, do not overwhelm yourself with the stress of what can happen; instead, keep yourself ready with all essential precautionary tips in hand. Above, we have discussed some essential winter tips for seniors to help you take care of your elderly parents this season at your best.
