Winter is tough for most people. It’s cold, and often wet, and staying healthy is harder than ever as bugs like colds, flu, coughs, and other infections and viruses spread through the population. It can be hard to stay healthy and happy, and most of us try to take steps to protect ourselves and boost our immune systems. But staying healthy during the colder months can be even harder for our older loved ones, who might be less active, have weakened immune systems, or be struggling with long-term health conditions. Here are some things that you can do to keep your older loved ones healthy this winter.
Make Sure Their Vaccinations Are Up To Date
Most older people should get a flu vaccination every winter and could also be offered other immunizations to help to protect them from winter illnesses. Check that your loved one is up to date, and also that they’ve had any routine screenings and health checks.
Schedule A Medication Review
Regularly review long-term medication to make sure that it’s still working at its best. This is a great time to help your loved one schedule a review if they are using any medication. This review can also give you both a chance to get medical advice to help your loved one to stay healthy over the wintertime, as well as some tips on what they should do if they do start to feel unwell.
Encourage Exercise And Hobbies
Exercise can boost circulation, improve heart health, increase vitamin D intake, and improve mood. Hobbies tend to include some form of exercise, even if it’s a small amount of movement, and offer the chance to spend time with friends and keep our minds active.
If your loved one has become very isolated, then hobbies and exercise can have a huge impact on their physical and mental health, as well as their quality of life. If they find it difficult to get out and about, then moving to an Albany assisted living community from Bellmont Village can be an ideal solution that caters to both their health and their happiness.
Make Sure They Are Warm
Staying warm can be hard over the wintertime, but it does help us to stay healthy and avoid seasonal depression. Check that your loved one’s home is warm, and that they are wrapping up when needed. It can be a good idea to check for any drafts and help them to book a boiler service to make any necessary repairs.
Help In Bad Weather
It’s not just coughs and colds that prove dangerous in the wintertime. Older people, and especially those with reduced mobility, can easily slip and fall in poor weather. Make sure they always have enough food so that they don’t need to go out in bad weather, and have a plan in place so that you can help them if they can’t get out due to unexpected snow or ice.
Staying healthy as we get older becomes more difficult. But by protecting your older loved ones during the winter, you can help them to enjoy the season and stay strong all year around.
