5 Ways To Keep Your Senior Parent Warm At Home This Winter

If your senior parent is aging in place, and are living in a family home that can be drafty, they may need some help staying warm this winter. Seniors tend to have a harder time regulating their body temperature than younger people, so it’s important for seniors to take steps to stay warm when the temperatures drop.

Drafty homes can make it difficult for seniors to stay warm even if the heat is high. But there are things that seniors can do to keep their body temperature up and stay warm even if they are living in an older home.

One great way to make sure your mom or dad stays warm is for them to take a warm bath before bed. A warm soak will bring up their body temperature and help them stay cozy and warm throughout the night.

If your mom or dad doesn’t have personal care at home, they should. Personal care at home is specialized care to help seniors with hygiene tasks and with things like bathing and getting dressed. Personal care at home helps seniors stay safe and avoid falls or injuries in potentially dangerous situations like taking a bath or a shower.

In addition to a warm nightly bath these tips can help you keep your mom or dad warm at home this winter:

Layering Clothing

Seniors who are aging at home should be wearing several layers of clothing in the cold weather. Start with a cotton shirt or undershirt made from a natural material that will allow airflow and wick moisture away from the skin. A mid-weight second layer like a sweater or long-sleeved tee shirt is good. Then add a zip-up fleece jacket, a sweatshirt, or some kind of heavy outer layer for maximum warmth.

Hang Weather-Blocking Curtains

Use heavy, weather-blocking curtains on windows. These curtains help stop drafts and keep the cold air out, making rooms warmer. They can also be installed over doorways and as a barrier between cold hallways and warm rooms to prevent drafts. Weather-blocking insulated curtains can be very effective at stopping drafts from old windows.

Draft Stoppers

Place draft stoppers at the bottom of doors. These simple tools can block cold air from coming in and help maintain warmth inside. Just make sure that they are installed properly and are secured to the door. Don’t use draft stoppers that have to be physically moved to open the door. Those can be tripping hazards for seniors.

Area Rugs

Add area rugs to bare floors. Rugs provide extra insulation and keep your feet warm, reducing the chill from cold floors. However, area rugs can be very dangerous for seniors because if they slide or move it can cause your mom or dad to fall.

If you are going to put down area rugs use secure carpet tape, caulk, or other means to secure them to the floor so they don’t slide. You can also place non-slip mats on the floor instead of rugs to reduce the risk that your mom or dad will fall.

Hot Water Bottles

Nothing takes the edge off a cold bed like a hot water bottle. It may be old-fashioned, but hot water bottles work. And you can check the temperature to make sure they are not hot enough to harm your mom or dad. Slip a hot water bottle under their covers about half an hour before bed so they can get into a warm and cozy bed at night.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Thomasville, NC, contact the caring professionals at TenderHearted Home Care today. Call us at (704) 612-4132