Winter Safety Tips for People Living with Dementia

By October, temperatures in Britain have already started to creep down – and by the end of November it’s difficult to remember the last time we couldn’t see our breath in condensation. By December, Brits are absolutely frozen and well aware of the cold months ahead. Although not many people really enjoy cold weather, it is more of a worry for older people. As we reach the later stages of our lives, our bodies begin to respond differently meaning it is harder to deal with cold weather and we are more vulnerable. With that in mind, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide some tips with how to prepare for the winter months ahead. Anything that makes our residents feel safer and more comfortable is part of our duty at Barchester, and we always make sure all of our resident’s healthcare needs are met – whether in one of our residential care homes or one of our assisted living properties.  

Sort the house out

If you’re not lucky enough to be at a Barchester care home, there may be a few things you need to sort around either your house or a loved ones house before the cold months come. We recommend getting your heating system serviced by a qualified engineer, as well as making sure you have all the financial support that is needed for heating bills. Whilst you’re preparing the house for winter, why not consider fitting a rail, particularly useful if you have steps at your front door.

Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

The winter can be really dangerous for an elderly person, and not keeping warm can increase the risk of serious health problems that are more common in the colder months, such as chest infections, heart attacks and strokes. On that front, make sure you are stock up on simple cold, flu and sore throat remedies around the house – but more importantly make sure there a plenty of warm clothes in the house. It is a good idea to stay active and eat a healthy diet throughout the winter months, particularly when the cold is making you feel tired. If there’s exceptionally bad weather on the way, order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.

Because it can be harder to get around during the colder months, many older people have less contact which can breed feelings of loneliness and isolation. Make sure to check in on your loved ones as much as possible – a phone call a day can make the world of difference. Life with Barchester provides plenty of opportunities for social activities which makes it much easier to cope with the darker months. If you’re worried about a friend or loved one and how they’re going to cope this winter, be sure to contact us or check out our care homes near you. At Barchester, it is our duty to ensure residents health and wellbeing, so if you need some help dealing with looking after an elderly friend or relative, get in touch.