A Guide to Prepping a Senior’s Home for Winter
If your senior loved one is aging in place at home, it’s important to keep their home in great shape, which includes making seasonal preparations and regular upkeep. With that in mind, has anyone begun prepping their home for this winter? In New Jersey, we’re already getting cold temperatures, so the window to prepare is quickly closing!
Simple Tips for Winterizing a Senior’s Home
First, decide who will be doing this work–you, someone else, or will you hire a professional? Once that is decided, no matter who performs the work, ensure the below areas are given special attention to prep your senior’s home for a safe winter season.
Have The Furnace Checked
The average high for the month of January in Scotch Plains is just 40 degrees. Ensure the heating system is functioning properly before temperatures plummet. First, change the furnace’s air filter, then turn on the heat to make sure it’s blowing warm air. If you notice any issues, have a professional HVAC technician inspect the furnace right away. Not only will this measure help keep your loved one and the house warm, but having your system in tip-top shape lowers heating bills–an important consideration for those on a fixed income.
Weatherproof The Home
Another simple way to keep heating costs down is to weather-proof any areas of the home that may allow cold air to seep through. Apply plastic coverings, weather stripping, or temporary caulk to windows and doors. It’s also a good idea to wrap pipes in unheated places, like the basement or garage, to prevent freezing and bursting.
Prevent Falls
It’s no secret that snow and ice drastically increase a senior’s chances of falling during the winter months. Before the snow falls and sticks, take a good look around the exterior of the home, paying special attention to stairs, sidewalks, driveways, and any other high-traffic areas. Discard any dead leaves or brush leftover and ensure the ground is clean and clear–and ready to be shoveled and salted when snow comes. Seniors can also reduce their risks of falls in the winter by wearing non-slip footwear.
Is it in the budget to hire a snow removal service for the season? If so, consider it as a helpful option to keep seniors safe from too much cold exposure and physical stress during the colder months.
Related Reading: Take a look at a past blog of ours that lists additional Common Winter Hazards Among the Elderly, including thorough suggestions for avoiding them.
Buy Essential Items in Bulk
Let’s face it, most of us don’t enjoy going out in the cold winter. To avoid extra trips to the store, buy essential items in bulk during the colder months. Regularly used items like toilet paper, paper towels, and cases of water or other drinks can all be bought in advance and stored at home. Heavy, larger items like these just make trips to the grocery store more challenging and can increase the risk of falls. You can even stock up on loaves of bread, which can be kept in the freezer safely until ready to eat.
Remember to consider any medication your loved one may be taking, too. It might be beneficial to look into prescription delivery to see if it is covered and available.
Prep for Power Outages
Power outages don’t just occur in the warmer months–severe snowstorms have the potential to knock out power lines in the Scotch Plains area. It’s crucial to have a plan in case there is an outage affecting your senior loved one. Prep by deciding where your loved one will stay in the event of an outage, and how they will get there. Additionally, prepare an emergency kit that includes everything they might need if they remain at home during a power outage.
Related Reading: We have you covered with a list of everything you might need to include in a Home First Aid Kit for Seniors.
Visiting Angels Offers Safe, Comforting Care All Season
At Visiting Angels Scotch Plains, our dedicated home care providers are here for seniors throughout all the seasons. If you could benefit from our services in assisting with caring for your senior loved one, call us at 908-322-0056.