Holiday Tactics for Keeping Your Elder Warm & Healthy

 For Holiday Health, Check YOUR Seniors' Arms, Shoulders, Knees & Toes – To Keep them all Warm!

Even in sunny Southern California the winter weather can get chilly for us all and the weather people are saying to expect some frigid temperatures.  Seniors often have a harder time keeping warm, so if you care for an older loved one, keep them comfortable during the harsh weather.

Keeping your loved one warm starts with covering their head and feet. We know that most of our body's heat is lost through the scalp and covering our feet is almost as important. Even in the house, your loved one should have warm socks and slippers. Make sure their slippers have non-skid soles to prevent them from a fall. 

Everyone should invest in a good winter cap or hat. Both seem to be in fashion now, so you can find one that will appeal to your older loved one. Most seniors love bright, bold colors, so pick on in their favorite color, or even a multi-colored one could be fun to wear. Like most men, my dad prefers a baseball cap, but try to encourage the man in your life to get something a little warmer. I think men look very spiffy in a fedora! 

Remember to put an extra blanket on their bed and a throw blanket where they like to sit. Having these handy can not only make their bodies warmer, but give them a cozy feel while enjoying their book or television programs. My mother loves her electric blanket, but many doctors discourage seniors from using them for various reasons, including heart conditions. 

If they're going out, make sure to layer them with warm comfort. A sweater under their coat may still be needed when they go inside to shop or to a restaurant. A warm scarf can also add to their warmth and perhaps you can find one to match their cap or hat! 

A lot of older people prefer to wear the thin dress socks, but my father puts these away in the winter and opts for thicker ones. Like many seniors he suffers from bad circulation in his feet, so the thick socks make him much more comfortable during the cold weather. 

Comfort food and drinks such as soup and hot tea can really add to your elder's well-being during the wintertime. A warm mug of coffee or even soup is nice to hold on a cold day. If you serve them canned soup, remember to get the low-sodium kind. 

Another concern during the winter is keeping your loved one's skin moisturized. We're keeping our homes warm with heaters that dry out the air even more than usual, so get a good non-allergenic lotion and keep it near their bed or where they sit. A good foot rub can really help their circulation and keep the skin on their feet from cracking. 

Check out what shoes your loved one is wearing to make sure their soles are in good shape and they're warm to wear. Rain and moisture make walking a bigger hazard during the winter, so make sure their shoes will keep them from taking a fall. 

Many seniors don't like to get out during the winter months, but really encourage them to bundle up and get some fresh air and sunshine every day. Depression is more prevalent during the winter months, and even an overcast sky gives us that intense light that we need to keep depression at bay. 

San Clemente Villas provides full-service, luxury assisted living to those over the age of 65. San Clemente Villas by the Sea is at 660 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, CA 92673. Phone:  (949) 289-1534 (949) 289-1534 FREE | Fax: (949) 234-0081. Contact:  Aileen Brazeau, Co-Owner of San Clemente Villas by the Sea. | abrazeau@cox.net.