Six Reasons it’s Dangerous for Your Senior to Be Alone in Winter

By Jessica Ott | January 25, 2019 |

Aging in place is something that your senior can definitely do, even if she lives completely alone. But winter is a time during which your elderly family member may need a little more help than she needs throughout the rest of the year.

Homecare Gettysburg PA – Six Reasons it’s Dangerous for Your Senior to Be Alone in Winter

Loneliness and Isolation

During the winter, fewer people are out and about. Your senior is likely to be one of those people. As such, she is far more likely to feel lonely and isolated. Combined with cold weather and fewer opportunities to enjoy a bright, sunny day, your senior may experience seasonal depression.

Health Problems

Winter is a prime time for your senior’s existing health issues to act up. Cold weather and humidity from storms can make joints ache more and cause other problems. When she’s by herself, these health situations can be more difficult for her to manage on her own.

Lack of Necessary Items

It’s easy for supplies to run lower when the weather is colder. Your senior may not want to get out much and that can mean that any stockpiles she’s built up can dwindle. This is especially dangerous if she’s got medications that she’s not stocked up on as well as she could be.

Nutritional Deficits

One of the necessary items that might pose a problem could be foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Canned and frozen foods can hold up well to a cold winter, but that doesn’t mean they are the healthiest choices. Your senior might find herself dealing with slightly worse nutrition than usual.

Transportation Issues

If driving has become more difficult in general for your aging adult, winter weather and cold temperatures can make driving impossible for her. it’s vital to have another option available for her so that she can still get wherever she needs to go.

Power Outages

Something else that becomes more common during colder weather are power outages. If your elderly family member is dependent on power for something like oxygen, that’s a big problem. Otherwise, she’s in danger of being too cold.

Winter can make it difficult for you to be there for your senior as often as you’d like, too. This is when hiring homecare providers can make a big difference for both of you. Your senior’s needs can be met more readily and you know that there’s someone who is checking in with her. You’ll both feel better.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Gettysburg PA, please talk to us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions. In-home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.

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Jessica Ott

Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC

Jessica Ott is the Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC.

A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC is dedicated to providing our clients with a better quality of life through our support services while maintaining their independence in the comfort of their own home.

As a Home Care Agency licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we can provide families with peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in good hands.

We will work with you to prepare a care plan that incorporates your needs, your wishes, and your preferred schedule. Each client is matched with a caregiver who can best meet their individual needs, whether they reside in a house, apartment, condominium, assisted living, or nursing community.