Winter is a magical, festive season—full of family time, bonding, and senior community building. However, a precipitous winter forecast presents many challenges, from icy walkways to health risks. So, how can we stay safe while enjoying some December senior activities?
In this blog, we’ll explore essential winter safety tips and fall protection for seniors. As well as how retirement communities make the most of this season.
Safety Topics for Winter: Understanding How Cold Weather Affects Senior Living
“Winter safety tips? Pfft! Fall protection for seniors—mhmm! I’ve survived every other winter in my life; what makes you think I need winter weather safety now?”
Well, the reason winter weather safety becomes more important as we age is because cold affects us seniors differently. So, a winter weather forecast tends to compound our existing risks. As we age, our ability to regulate body temperature decreases, meaning we’re more susceptible to the effects of cold weather. Blood circulation generally decreases, making us feel colder. How we shed heat also changes. That’s also why most seniors like their senior apartments warm!
That’s all to say: winter safety is more than just fall protection for seniors. So, let’s start with some worst-case scenarios. Two risks that would spark emergency help for seniors. Frostbite and hypothermia.
Winter Weather Safety Tip: Spotting and Treating Frostbite
Frostbite is damage to the body caused by exposure to freezing temperatures (32°F or 0°C). It starts as damage to the skin, but the danger can go deeper if untreated. It commonly occurs at extremities: fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, nose, and lips. These body parts are furthest from the heart and thus rely on blood circulation to stay warm.
Remember how we sense temperature changes throughout senior living. Here are some early signs of frostbite:
- Skin becomes pale or even white. It might feel waxy or stiff
- Blue coloration around the lips
- The skin might become mottled
- You might feel a pins and needles sensation around the affected area. Or even a strange, persistent burning sensation
- Numbness
The best thing to do with frostbite is to get out of the cold and into a warm environment. Then, gradually apply warmth to the affected area. Warm the freezing fingers in a warm washcloth, soak in warm water, or use insulating heat from blankets. Do NOT rub the frostbitten area or apply it to direct heat like heating pads or fires. Ideally, feeling, color, and sensation should return to the affected area. But if it does not, despite your best efforts, then you need emergency help for seniors. Continue trying to warm the area but seek immediate medical attention.
Winter Weather Safety Tip: Hypothermia
Hypothermia is when our body’s internal temperature drops below 95°F (35°C). This could potentially become life-threatening. Again, seniors are more susceptible to cold weather, so spotting and preventing hypothermia is vital to winter weather safety.
Early signs of hypothermia may include:
- Shivering and chattering teeth
- Pale, gray skin or blue coloration around the lips
- Fast breathing
- Slow movements and reactions
Those may sound like the ordinary effects of a winter snow forecast. But watch out as they can progress into:
- Confusion
- Exhaustion
- Feeling sleepy
- Faster-than-normal heart rate
- Slurred speech
- Sudden weakness
- Loss of coordination
Our body will slowly start to shut down as internal temperature drops. So get out of the cold and into a warm, dry shelter. Remove any wet clothing and replace it with warm, dry clothes. Wrap up in warm blankets and drink plenty of fluids. Except for coffee and alcohol, as those dehydrate you. Ideally, the treated person will “come to,” becoming more aware, active, and feeling warmer. If not, you’ll need emergency help for seniors. Keep warming them, but watch their pulse and seek immediate medical attention.
Winter Weather Safety Tip: Flu Vaccine
Frostbite and hypothermia are heavy subjects. You might be thinking, those things will never happen to me. But they certainly can if you’re not careful! Same with the flu. As seniors, our immune system is diminished. So, the flu will be a lot worse than when we were younger. We can’t recommend vaccination enough! Luckily, most retirement communities provide flu shots.
Dressing Right for Cold Weather: Winter Safety Tips to Prevent Frostbite and Hypothermia
Luckily, you can prevent frostbite and hypothermia by dressing appropriately for cold weather. Our hands, feet, ears, and neck are high areas of heat transfer, so we have to keep them warm for winter safety.
Winter safety essentials include:
- Face mask or scarf to cover the neck
- A warm hat or ear muffs
- Mittens or gloves (many care communities recommend mittens over gloves because they are easier for seniors to put on)
- Socks for cold weather. They might be extra thick and/or moisture-wicking
- Snow boots or any nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled footwear (we’ll get more into footwear soon)
Always check the winter weather forecast before heading out. You might think you’ll be okay with just a sweater, only to catch a cold because you missed the winter snow forecast. In fact, a weather monitor could make an excellent gift for any loved one living in a senior community! For more gift suggestions and December senior activities, read our Gift Guide for Your Favorite Senior.
Instead of relying on one thick winter coat, try dressing in these layers for winter safety:
- Inner layer: start with moisture-wicking material. This will prevent water from getting on your skin.
- Middle layer: insulate yourself with a thick material like wool or fleece.
- Outer layer: protect against wind, rain, and snow with a final windproof and waterproof layer, like a windbreaker or puffer jacket.
Winter Safety: Fall Protection for Seniors
Slipping on ice hurts. A lot. Planting your feet firmly and using handrails will only get you so far. Scan your environment, look forward to where your feet will go, and walk consciously. Oh, and remember, if something looks wet in winter, it’s probably ice! Infamous black ice appears as wet pavement.
When it comes to ice/snow removal, retirement communities have an advantage. For starters, you don’t have to worry about ice when walking to the movies or getting dinner since those amenities are in most senior apartments. Additionally, retirement communities have resources that would be difficult for individual seniors. A senior community has staff to clear the sidewalks and walkways. Many even provide transportation services.
Perhaps your parents have enjoyed their senior home for decades. But snow removal has become very hard on their joints. Winterizing their senior home gets harder every year. And you worry about them driving because they didn’t hear about the winter snow forecast. Some senior aging services might help make the senior home safer. However, when homeownership becomes a burden, that’s a sign they might be better off in a senior living community.
Retirement communities have a holistic way of keeping us healthy. We’ll explore those soon.
Winter Safety Tip: Shoes for Cold Weather
The shoe you’ll need to tread through the winter weather forecast will depend on your area. Generally, you should avoid shoes with a smooth sole. Go for shoes with a heavy tread and a flat bottom. If you are in a really snowy place, try waterproof winter boots with traction cleat attachments.
How Retirement Communities Enhance Senior Living and Winter Safety
So far, we’ve discussed winter safety regarding the physical. But what about the mental? A senior home can be packed with festive family memories. However, as the family gets older and more independent, that senior home can become isolating. Winter is an isolating time, and less sunlight can make us feel depressed.
Assisted living and independent living retirement communities naturally foster friendly, lively communities. Retirement communities also host plenty of December senior activities to keep us active and engaged, from exercising to art classes.
Cogir Senior Living puts on an annual winter art show called Season of Creativity. The retirement communities encourage residents to make art that reflects their holiday experiences. As a result, residents bond over sharing their diverse lives. And the senior community is decorated with their art!
Stay Connected With December Senior Activities
Check-in with the seniors in your life. If they’re distant, set up regular video calls. Some families encourage their grandkids to write frequent letters to their grandparents. If you are close by, cuddle around the TV for some classic festive movies, or try some arts and crafts like these sock snowmen.
Conclusion: Winter’s Wonderful and Joyous When You’re Safe
We might sound like worrywarts stressing over flu shots and non-skid shoes. But winter safety saves lives, and that’s our ultimate goal. We want all the seniors in our lives to be safe, active, and happy.
You probably do, too, but there’s only so much you can do. Consider a senior living community to keep your loved ones safe and comfortable. Of course, that’s a big thing to consider, so schedule a tour or contact us directly.
About Cogir Senior Living
What sets Cogir apart is the company’s devoted approach to creating healthy, vibrant communities that offer residents exceptional independent living, assisted living, and memory care lifestyle options. Cogir Senior Living develops, owns, and/or operates 90+ lifestyle communities throughout the United States.
