Keeping Seniors Safe in Cold Weather

Happy New Year everyone. Winter is in full swing here in New Hampshire and Maine. Winter in New England sure can be lovely but for our home care clients, their families and other seniors, winter brings it’s own set of challenges.

For primary caregivers of an elderly loved one, there are numerous things to consider to keep seniors safe during cold weather. Here are some things to consider:

• Increased Risk of Hypothermia: Seniors must be careful to avoid hypothermia. Some health conditions and medication can increase the risk of hypothermia and can make seniors less aware of a drop in body temperature. Regular checks from a family member or in home care provider are essential to make sure they are warm.

• Increased Personal Care Needs: Winter weather and dry indoor air can cause skin to become dry and irritated. Extra attention by caregivers and additional hygiene care is essential during the winter months.

• Increased Risk of Fall: Although there are always fall hazard to be aware of for seniors, winter weather adds a whole new set of fall risks. One slip on icy or snowy steps can lead to serious injury for a senior. In home care providers must take extra care in keeping the home and walkways clear or snow or ice. Traction Cleats for snow and ice are a great idea, they would even make a great gift for a senior in your life.

• Isolation Induced Depression: For seniors, getting out in the winter weather can be a real challenge. Lack of social contact, interaction and exercise can lead to depression. It is important for caregivers to keep this in mind and seek out safe outings or stay at home indoor activities. Family caregivers or in home care providers can help alleviate some of this through activities done together such as: games, baking, crafts, book reading, etc. Caregivers can also provide transportation to activities.

• Fire and Carbon Monoxide Hazards: As mentioned before, seniors are susceptible to cold temperatures. Oftentimes, to help with the cold, or to help in times of power outage, space heaters or generators might be used. These can be a fire or carbon monoxide hazard when not installed properly. Placing these appliances too close to fabrics (ie: curtains, bedding, etc.) or furniture can cause a fire. Without proper ventilation, they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Caregivers can read instructions and check for installation. In-home care providers can check on seniors safety. Also, a check should be performed to be certain that fire and carbon monoxide detectors are all in working order.

The National Council on Aging has a great article on their website with more information on keeping seniors safe in cold weather. You can find it here.

Home Safety for Seniors

Ensuring home safety for the elderly is crucial to prevent accidents and promote their well-being. Here are some important tips to create a safe living environment:

1. Remove tripping hazards: Keep the floors free from clutter, loose rugs, or any other items that may cause the elderly to trip and fall. Secure loose cables and cords to the wall or use cord covers.

2. Install grab bars and handrails: Install grab bars in the bathroom, especially near the toilet and shower area, and handrails on stairways to provide stability and support.

3. Improve lighting: Adequate lighting is essential to prevent falls. Install bright lights in hallways, staircases, and entrance areas. Consider using motion sensor lights to ensure good visibility during nighttime.

4. Non-slip surfaces: Use non-slip mats or rugs with rubber backing in the bathroom and near entrances. Apply non-slip strips or decals to slippery surfaces such as bathtubs and showers.

5. Secure rugs and carpets: Ensure that rugs and carpets are properly secured to the floor to prevent slipping. Consider using double-sided tape or rug grippers.

6. Organize belongings: Keep commonly used items within reach to avoid the need for climbing or overreaching. Rearrange kitchen cabinets and storage areas accordingly.

7. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. Test them regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly.

8. Medication management: Set up a system to help the elderly manage their medications safely. Use pill organizers or automatic medication dispensers to prevent errors or missed doses.

9. Bathroom safety: Use a raised toilet seat to make it easier for the elderly to sit and stand. Place a non-slip mat or adhesive strips in the bathtub or shower to prevent slips.

10. Emergency response system: Consider installing an emergency response system that the elderly person can use to call for help in case of a fall or other emergencies.

11. Clear pathways: Ensure that all pathways in the home are clear and easy to navigate. Remove any obstacles, excess furniture, or clutter that may obstruct movement.

12. Adequate heating and cooling: Maintain a comfortable and safe temperature inside the home. Ensure that heating and cooling systems are functioning correctly and have regular maintenance.

13. Fire safety: Place fire extinguishers on each floor of the house and near the kitchen. Educate the elderly on fire safety procedures and how to use fire extinguishers.

14. Stair safety: Install handrails on both sides of the staircase for stability. Consider adding stair gates at the top and bottom to prevent accidental falls.

15. Regular home maintenance: Keep the home well-maintained by checking for any potential hazards such as loose handrails, broken steps, or faulty electrical outlets. Address these issues promptly.

Remember, every individual's needs may vary, so it's essential to assess the specific requirements of the elderly person in question and make appropriate adjustments to ensure their safety and comfort.

Medication Management for Seniors

Get a fact sheet of this article

As we age it is  common to have an  increased need for daily medications. It is typical for seniors over 65 to be taking 5 to 6 different medications per day. Almost 20% of elders (65 years or older) take 10 or more   medications.(1) For seniors, the management of medications can be a challenge. Remembering to take medications, which ones, and when is often too overwhelming for them to handle on their own.

              In addition to seniors, it is reported that nearly 75% of all Americans do not take their medications as prescribed. Improper medication management at home causes approximately 125,000 deaths per year, and 10% of all hospital admissions are medication related. For those over 65 the number escalates, 30% of hospital admissions are directly related to non-adherence of prescribed medication. Many seniors have family members who help with their medication regimen. This often includes filling medication reminder devices or pill dispensers. These dispensers can range from highly sophisticated electronic devises to simple Sunday through Saturday plastic holders. Filling them is one thing, knowing when to take the medications, and remembering to take them is another.

What can be done to help with this problem? At Abundant Blessings Homecare, Inc. we have seen the problems with medication management in many different situations. We have adopted a plan of action we would like to share and recommend. This plan is listed below.

1. Best practice is accountability. To have a caregiver with you to prompt and remind you to take your medications at the appropriate time and to document is ideal. This person can be a family member or a private duty homecare aid. The key is to have someone there anytime medications are to be taken.

2. Utilization of automated medication dispensers. There are many manufacturers offering programmable dispensers which will alarm (both visual and/or audible) when it is time to take medications. One even alerts a call center which in turn calls the client and/or up to three people if the medications are not removed from the dispenser after a set amount of time lapse. The limitation to these dispensers is that they need to be filled weekly. We have reviewed many dispensers of this type and are now selling at a discount and recommending various models from MedReady, Inc. which can be seen and purchased at our website.    http://www.abundantblessingshomecare.com/medication-dispenser/

3. For any situation which leaves seniors living a distance from family, or when there is no one to fill medication dispensers on a weekly basis, we recommend bubble packs or blister packs. These are available from many pharmacies in the area. They consist of clear little pouches containing each day's pills, sorted according to the day of the week and time of day they should be taken. Bubble Packs are filled and

sealed by the pharmacy and all medications which are to be taken at any given time are together in one pouch. Bubble packs help eliminate confusion as to when and what pills to take. No one needs to fill a weekly dispenser; the bubble pack acts as a prefilled dispenser. A caregiver may still be needed to remind and prompt. Studies indicate that One 14-month study indicated that patients' medication compliance had risen from 61% to 96%.

4. If none of these suggestions are taken, we would  recommend at minimum utilizing basic weekly Sunday through Saturday medication dispensers. These can be obtained at any pharmacy. They are very simple to use, yet help tremendously with medication compliance.

One last consideration is regarding safety and theft prevention. Often seniors have many service people working in and around their homes, from Home Health Care Nurses, Physical Therapists and Home Care Aids, to landscapers and cleaning companies. Our policy with our Clients is that any medications not in use or in a dispenser must be locked up. In some situations, even family members may be tempted to steal certain medications. Locking them up prevents theft, deters misuse and eliminate any pointing of blame when medications are missing. If you would like to talk to us about help with your or your loved ones medication management we are available 24/7. Anyone who is considering altering their medication management, or that of a loved one, should consult with their physician first. As health care reform progresses, the goal is that clinicians will share medication management responsibilities following the patient-centered medical home model of care.(2)

(1)        Boyd CM, Darer J, Boult C, Fried LP, Boult L, Wu AW. Clinical practice guidelines and quality of care for older patients with multiple comorbid diseases. JAMA. 2005;294:716-724.

(2)        Feldstein AC, Smith DH, Perrin N, et al. Improved therapeutic monitoring with several interventions. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:1848-1854.

Summer Safety for Seniors

Summer has finally arrived here in New England. With summer comes days of high temperatures which can be dangerous to seniors and others who are affected by the heat. So as you enjoy the long lazy days of summer, remember to take precautionary measures to protect those you love from heat related illness. The following is an article from the Red Cross website with tips on helping seniors to beat the heat.

"Summer Safety & Preparedness Guide for Seniors

As our bodies age, skin and fat tissue, the body's insulators, tend to thin. Because of that change, seniors regulate temperature less efficiently, putting them at greater risk than others from heat-related health problems. Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion are less pronounced in seniors, who:

• Tend to perspire less than younger people—so their bodies don"t shed heat as easily as they once did.

• May lose some of their sense of thirst and not feel thirsty until severe dehydration has set in.

• May take high blood pressure and heart disease medications that remove salt and fluids from the body. These medications, coupled with heat, can cause a senior to become dehydrated—leading to confusion, organ damage and even death.

The following tips can help seniors beat the heat.

• Slow down. Strenuous activity in extremely hot weather adds strain to the heart. If you must be active, choose the coolest part of the day—usually between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

• Take regular breaks when engaging in physical activity on warm days. If you think that you, or someone else, show signs of heat-related illness, stop your activity, find a cool place, drink fluids and apply cool compresses.

• Stay cool. If you don’t have air conditioning, spend time at an air-conditioned shopping center, senior center, library, movie theater, restaurant or place of worship.

• Plan outdoor activities in the cooler early morning or evening hours

  • Stay in the shade. A covered porch or under a tree are good choices.

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat and umbrella to protected yourself from sun overexposure

  • Use U/V skin protection

• Stay cool in your home. If you must be at home without air conditioning:

  • Stay in the coolest part of the house—usually the lowest floor.

  • Close curtains or shades on sunny windows to keep out heat and light.

  • Use portable and ceiling fans, and/or battery-operated hand-held fans and misters.

  • Install outdoor awnings or sun screens.

  • Use wet washcloths or ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth to pat your wrists, face and back of the neck.

  • Take cool baths or showers.

• Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat. Sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and vegetables are good choices.

• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. Wear a hat or use an umbrella as well.

• Discuss with your doctor how medications and/or chronic conditions may affect your body's ability to manage heat.

• Take the heat seriously. Rapid heartbeat, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, headache, chest pain, fatigue, clammy skin, mental changes or breathing problems are warning signs that you should seek immediate medical attention.

Frail seniors who live alone should be looked in on often during hot weather by family members, neighbors or friends."

Source: nyredcross.org