Aging Well
• WISDOM
Unsafe conditions inside and outside can lead to falls or injuries, which are especially dangerous during bad weather when emergency services may be slow to respond. Even seniors’ basic needs can be affected, warns Barker, if you don’t prepare ahead of time. “If you’re unable to leave the house and shop for food, the lack of nutrition can affect you quickly,” especially if you already have health problems.
Carol Barker
Clinic Nurse at The Summit Independent Living in Forest.
Lakeshia Entzminger, MD Team physician in Centra’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Lynchburg, Farmville and Gretna.
If you know a storm is Keep you pantry stocked with non-perishable food items in case a storm hits unexpectedly. coming, check with your Seniors should also make arrangements pharmacy about filling ahead of time for snow removal, repair any prescriptions early. steps or walkways around their homes, have handrails by stairs and keep ice melt on hand. “Wear shoes with very good traction,” says Barker. “And use walking aids inside and out if you need them.” If you’re inside, make sure pathways in your home are kept clear of clutter and extension cords. It’s a good idea to keep a space heater on hand for very cold days, but be careful about the type you choose. Electric heaters should have an automatic shut-off function in case they become too hot. If you’re using a wood-burning stove or kerosene heater, you may be in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. “[Carbon monoxide] is an odorless and tasteless deadly gas that is produced by burning wood, natural gas and kerosene when used for fireplaces, wood/gas stoves and gas appliances,” explains Entzminger. To avoid any danger, install a carbon monoxide detector installed in the home. Winter storms or icy roads can also prevent seniors from getting to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, which is especially dangerous if you take regular medication to manage a condition like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. If you know a storm is coming, check with your pharmacy about filling prescriptions early. You can also ask your pharmacist about filling prescriptions for three months at a time, rather than just one.
8. Ask For Help Expert Contributors Carol Barker, the Clinic Nurse at The Summit Independent Living in Forest. Lakeshia Entzminger, MD, a team physician in Centra’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Lynchburg, Farmville and Gretna.
Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov Mental Health America www.mentalhealthamerica.net National Institute of Aging www.nia.nih.gov Reuters News Agency www.reuters.com Richmond Times www.richmond.com The Lancet Journals www.thelancet.com United States Census Bureau www.census.gov
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When cold weather limits your ability to leave your home, care for your property or run errands by yourself, many seniors feel a loss of independence. But one of the best ways to stay safe and healthy in winter is to ask for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask family or friends to check on you during cold weather, especially during an emergency like a winter storm. “Ask for assistance if [you] lose heating in an emergency,” says Barker, or stay with a neighbor or family member until your power returns. “Community is very important for seniors,” agrees Dr. Entzminger. Filling prescriptions, getting to doctor’s appointments and heading to the grocery store are all things that family and friends can help with. If you don’t have nearby family, your local board of aging can connect you with transportation, home aids and other services. You can contact the Virginia Office for Aging Services at 804.662.9333 to be directed to your local board of aging. Whether you are turning to a close friend, an adult child or a volunteer, it can be difficult to ask for help. But it can be the difference between a healthy winter and an extended hospital stay. “[Your] physical, psychological and spiritual well-being is of paramount concern,” concludes Barker.
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