Colder Months: How Does Our Care Service Differ?

How Does Cold Weather Affect Health

The winter months can be a challenging time for older people, the cold weather can put them at greater risk of illness and health issues, so it’s important to be prepared.

We see an influx of illness during the winter as the cold weather means we spend more time inside without ventilation, the cold weather can mean that winter bugs affect us more and put us at higher risk of colds, flu, pneumonia, and coronavirus.

As we age, our immune system becomes weaker, so it’s important to do what we can to stay healthy. Our carers are happy to help you with this by helping you stay well this winter with some simple tips.

Help Booking and Travelling to your Vaccine Appointment

Everyone over 50 is entitled to a free Covid booster vaccine and a free flu vaccine, it is recommended everyone make use of this as we try to make it through another winter of the pandemic.

Your carer can help take you to and from your vaccine appointment as well as any other errands or appointments you have such as doctor and hospital appointments, shopping trips or visits to friends or social clubs.

Keeping Warm

When helping you get dressed or ready for bed, your carer will ensure you are warm enough and wearing enough layers. It’s recommended to wear lots of thin layers rather than one thick layer as this will keep you warmer and help trap warm air between them. Keeping extremities warm such as wearing socks or slippers is also important.

While sitting, our carers will ensure you keep cosy with a blanket or a shawl, so you can stay warm as well as checking the temperature of your home is at a warm and comfortable level. There are many schemes available to help with the cost of heating your home.

When helping you into bed, our carers will ensure you will be warm and comfortable, be that preparing a hot water bottle or wheat bag or turning on an electric blanket before you go to bed.

When taking you out, again layers are important, so they’ll ensure you are wearing a hat, scarf, gloves, and a blanket if you need to use a wheelchair or electric scooter.

Eating Well

We all know eating well is important, but it can be difficult to get yourself to eat healthy or prepare meals. Your carer can help prepare nutritious meals and ensure your cupboards are well stocked, so you have food if the weather turns particularly bad or if you want to avoid going out such as in low or icy temperatures and snow.

Even if you don’t have much of an appetite, meals like soup are a good way to get important nutrients and to help stay warm as well as eat a decent comforting meal.

Organise Live In Care This Winter

Whether you are receiving ongoing care, need temporary care to recover from surgery or an illness or would like additional support during the winter months, then Live In Solutions can help. We can provide qualified experienced carers to take care of you and help with a variety of things around the home such as domestic chores such as cleaning and cooking, help running errands or attending appointments, help with getting dressed or ready for bed, personal care such as washing and going to the toilet or assistance with taking medication.

Our carers are passionate about providing excellent care and will aim to be with you whatever the weather to provide the much-needed support and care that you need.