HCAOA The Voice Winter 2019-20

9 Winter 2019–20 9 HCAOA The Voice When aging in place, it helps to take a seasonal approach to managing risks. Whether you are an aging adult or a loved one of aging parents, reevaluating living arrangements every three months can keep you in tune with changing needs for the seasons. It is important to ask, “Is my home meeting my current needs and supporting my safety? Could small changes reduce the risk of a fall or injury? Do my spouse and I have a high quality of life here?” Winter is one of the most important seasons to prepare for when aging in place. If you’re home for the holidays, here are a few tips to help you and your family be ready and stay safe. Staying Warm As we age, the body has more difficulty retaining heat, and staying warm becomes more difficult. Dressing in layers will help the body acclimate during transitions between indoor and outdoor environments. Pay attention to those with dementia, as one of the symptoms is an inability to dress appropriately for weather conditions. If your loved one exhibits difficult behaviors such as wandering, take extra precautions in the winter. If they were to wander outside, a fall or hypothermia can put them at serious risk. Preventing a Fire As we try to keep warm, it is important to maintain safety. Make sure heaters are a good distance from the body or blankets as they can unintentionally burn items. If your loved one uses an electric blanket, be sure it is kept on a low setting and has an automatic shutoff to prevent it from being left on too long. In celebration of the winter season, we tend to use candles or have fires in the fire- place. Be sure all lights are blown out, unplugged, and extinguished before leaving the house or going to bed. Changing batteries in smoke detectors and making sure your house has carbon monox- ide detectors is good preparation. If your loved one uses oxygen, take extra precaution to keep open flames or cigarettes away from the tank and oxygen tubes. Falls One of the biggest risks in the home for aging adults are falls. In winter that simple trip to the grocery store, pharmacy, or a friend’s house can be treacherous. Make sure your aging loved one has the tools and ability to manage outdoor stairs and walkways with salt and a shovel. If this task puts them at risk, create a plan to have family members or volunteers help maintain outdoor spaces in the winter. Make sure railings are sturdy and free from décor. As the days are shorter and we are spending more time in the dark, be sure indoor and outdoor stairwells are well lit. Driving If you are concerned about a loved one driving, winter is an import- ant time to assess the risks, have the difficult conversation, and create a backup plan for winter driving. Delayed response times and driving on slick roads put people in danger. Plan a backup system for transportation when the roads are bad and define what that means. Help loved ones stock their kitchen with extra food and supplies so they can wait out the bad weather before having to go to the store. Consider having your doctor write an extra prescription to minimize the amount of pharmacy trips or delegate tasks that include driving to a family member. When it comes to winter transportation, watch for isolation and make sure your family member has opportunities to keep a regular schedule, get out of the house, maintain mobility, and have social engagement with friends and family. Emergency Plan For aging adults, many situations can present an emergency in winter. It is important to have a plan in place for “what if’s”. Consolidate emergency contact information into one document or notebook and include utility companies. If power goes out, or furnace quits, it’s crucial to get help right away. During a winter storm or natural disaster, have plans for gathering family members. Talk to neighbors to support one another. Keep a supply of water and nonperishable food and a full emergency kit to make sure your loved ones have their needs met for 3–4 days if unable to leave their house. Help in the Home As we age, the activities of daily living and managing a home can be overwhelming, more so during the holidays. Part of any good plan to age in place is a strategy for dealing with both short-term increase in needs or long-term care. Sound Options offers cus- tomized help that comes to you. Whether you are recovering from an injury or your spouse has dementia, we provide the care and comfort your family needs. Our goal is to make the holidays a safe and enjoyable time for everyone. Aging in Place Safely in Winter FEATURE ARTICLE