The fall time is always a beautiful season; however, it comes with its own unique challenges for seniors. With the weather, temperatures, and conditions changing in the fall, it is important to be conscientious of how this can affect your loved ones whether they are living at home or in a long-term care facility. Follow along to better understand what strategies you can take to ensure safety and wellness for your loved one.
Maintain a Comfortable Indoor Environment
In the fall time, seniors will often choose to spend much more time indoors due to the temperatures falling and the weather becoming windier and rainier. With this in mind, it is important that their indoor environment is comfortable and safe. Adjusting your loved one’s thermostat to a temperature that keeps them warm but not too hot is crucial. To ensure that the temperature stays this way, consider checking for drafts and sealing any gaps around windows and doors as well to ensure the outdoor air does not seep into the home. Providing easy access to warm blankets, cozy clothing, and house slippers is also a great idea for when your loved one needs some extra warmth.
Prevents Falls Inside and Outside of the Home
Falls are always a significant concern for seniors; unfortunately, falls become more prevalent in the fall due to weather hazards like slipping on leaves or wet surfaces. To prevent indoor falls, ensure that clutter and tripping hazards are removed from common areas and walkways. Ensuring there is adequate lighting in hallways, staircases, and common areas is also essential. Consider purchasing a portable lamp or flashlight for your loved one as well in the case that there is ever a power outage and they need to get around their living space. At Shaughnessy Seniors Community we take fall prevention very seriously by assessing each resident’s likelihood of experiencing falls and providing materials and ergonomic changes for those who may need it to prevent a fall from occuring in the first place.
When it comes to the outdoors, ensuring walkways and driveways are clear of fallen leaves, snow, or other debris is important to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. Take the time to make sure your loved one has proper footwear with non-slip soles and good ankle support as well. If your loved one has trouble walking by themselves, providing a mobility aid such as a cane or walker is also a smart idea to stabilize them.
Awareness of Seasonal Health Issues
The fall season often coincides with the start of flu season. To protect your loved one from the flu, encourage them to get a flu shot, promote good hand hygiene, and be vigilant for signs of illness. For more information on how to keep your loved one safe during flu season, check out this blog post.
The fall time is also a great time to check in on your loved one’s medications. Consider consulting with their healthcare provider to ensure that their prescriptions are up to date and appropriate for the changing season. Sometimes certain medications may need adjustments due to seasonal changes in their health conditions as well.
Social and Emotional Well-Being
Autumn can sometimes bring feelings of isolation or loneliness, especially if your loved one is in a long-term care home. To support their social and emotional well-being, arrange for regular visits or virtual check-ins so that they can spend time with you. Engaging in fall themed activities like baking or making crafts is also a great way to bond and chat about their feelings. Shaughnessy Seniors Community provides an array of social activities that your loved one can participate and socialize in as well.
Taking care of a loved one in the fall, whether it be at home or in a long-term care facility, requires attention to detail and a commitment to their safety and well-being. By addressing indoor and outdoor safety, staying aware of health issues, and emphasizing their emotional and social well-being, you can help your loved one enjoy the fall while still feeling safe and comfortable throughout the season.
If you’re looking for a long-term care home in the Lower Mainland, Shaughnessy Seniors Community offers personalized and high-quality nursing care to support your parent or loved one. Located in Port Coquitlam, our boutique-style residence is warm, inviting, and can provide the resources required to keep your loved one comfortable and happy despite age-related health problems. If you’d like to learn more about our facilities and care plans, you can always visit our website or reach out to a member of our team and we’d be happy to help.