Alzheimer’s Care in Wood Dale IL
For many parts of the country, the coldest parts of the year are here, promising weeks, if not months of bitter cold, dangerous weather conditions, and limited sunlight. All of these conditions can make daily living a bit more challenging for seniors and family caregivers. Here are four important ways to keep your senior with Alzheimer’s safe this winter, and how Alzheimer’s care can help.
Four Steps to Staying Safe this Winter
- Be Prepared At Home for Inclement Weather. A bad snowstorm or ice storm can keep you stuck at home for days so make sure you are always well stocked in all of the medications and other items your loved one needs. Always check the weather forecast before heading out so that if it looks like the weather could get bad while you’re planning on being out, you’ll have the option to change your plans before you go.
- Bundle Up. When you do have to take your loved one out, make sure she is well bundled up from her head to her toes. A warm hat and thick socks with waterproof boots or shoes are mandatory when the temperatures drop. Layers can help her keep warm as well and protect her from the cold winds that may blow.
- Be Extra Vigilant about Possible Falling. Having Alzheimer’s disease can increase the risk of falling, even in the best of weather. Your loved one’s perception may not be as good as it used to be or she may not recognize the dangers of an icy sidewalk. Reaction times are often slowed as well, reducing her ability to stop a fall once it starts. Treat all outdoor areas appropriately to remove ice and snow and always have someone there to walk arm-in-arm with your loved one as she crosses any outdoor areas.
- Prevent Wandering. Wandering usually occurs for an Alzheimer’s patient when they are searching for someplace they cannot find. It can be as simple as the bathroom or they may decide to try to find a neighbor’s house and not consider the weather. Make sure your home has safety measures built in to prevent your loved one from heading outside in the cold and being put into immediate danger with deadly windchills and temperatures.
Receive Alzheimer’s Care Help at Home
Since getting out with your loved one is more difficult in the cold winter months, you should consider having someone come to the home to help with providing Alzheimer’s care for your loved one. Long days stuck in the house can get tiresome and evoke troublesome behaviors, so consider having someone come to the home and help with Alzheimer’s care by providing a break from a long day.
Some ways a home care provider can assist include:
- Playing a game with your loved one like checkers or a card game.
- Working on a craft or art project with your loved one.
- Encouraging movement and exercise around the home by dancing or doing calisthenics inside.
- Providing a friendly companion for your loved one to chat or reminisce with.
- Assisting your loved one will simple chores like setting the table or folding clothes.
These little activities during the day with an Alzheimer’s care provider can help your loved one stay on a regular awake and sleep schedule even when the days are shorter outside and getting out to use up a bunch of energy is more difficult.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Alzheimer’s Care in Wood Dale, IL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care – Lombard Today At (630) 313-6160.
Assisting Hands Home Care – Lombard Provides Exceptional Home Care For Seniors In Elmhurst, IL And The Surrounding Areas.
