If your loved one is in an assisted living facility, you might think there is nothing you need to do as a caregiver to have them prepared for the cold Texas months. It should be noted that this is all about preparation in case something out of the ordinary happens (i.e., they lose the heat for multiple hours/days). Here are a few items we would recommend having your loved one prepared with.
Layers And a New Coat
Winter coats can often be one of the last things you think an aging loved one needs – especially if their mobility is limited. They might rarely use it but that is why it is important as a caregiver you check to make sure the coat doesn’t have any holes or needs replacement. You should also give them multiple options when it comes to layering so check that they have various long sleeve options with thermal pants too.
Look For Nonslip Shoes
With winter comes frozen over parts of sidewalks and parking lots. Those frozen spots become a major hazard for your aging loved one that could lead to a life-altering fall. You can actually find nonslip shoes or boots that will help your loved one keep the traction needed to lessen the chance of a fall on slick areas during the winter time.
Pick An Area for Backup Stock Supplies
Go through some of the essential items that your loved one uses on a regular basis and create an emergency section in one of their cupboards. Try to fill it with things like non-perishable foods, feet warmers, extra clothes, and flashlights. If their power goes down, they should have enough to hopefully get them through an additional day or two.
Ask The Assisted Living Facility About Their Backup Plans
We saw this happen when the power grid went down in Texas but many caregivers hadn’t even thought to ask their loved one’s assisted living facility what their emergency plans were. We encourage caregivers to talk to the administration at the facility of what happens during each kind of major emergency (power outage, flood, fire, etc.).
With disaster preparation and being ready for anything that Winter can cause, it might seem like a lot of work for something unlikely to happen. Disaster preparation is simply there in case you need it to make a difficult situation a little bit easier and safer. Use these tips to make sure your aging loved one is ready these wintery challenges.