Keeping Elderly Friends and Relatives Safe in Autumn
As the mornings feel crisper, leaves start to fall and the days become shorter, it’s important to check on elderly people, to check they are coping with the change in temperature and to ensure there are no health or safety hazards.
In this blog, we look at some of the ways you can keep safe elderly friends, family or neighbours this Autumn:
- Wet leaves can become dangerous slip hazards, so as well as keeping hallways and walkways clear of trip hazards, make sure that debris is not brought into the home by installing a sturdy doormat.
- Maintain a consistently warm temperature in the home and seal off any draught sources. Have a certified plumber service the central heating system to prevent leaks or other dangers and have fireplaces and chimneys swept annually to prevent chimney fires.
- With the central heating on, keeping hydrated is just as important in cooler weather so don’t forget to drink plenty of water. It helps to promote brain function, regulates body temperature and is essential to the function of vital internal organs.
- Avoid draughts by ensuring windows are in good condition and can be opened and closed easily. Elderly people should have access to fresh air and be able to keep out the cold.
- This time of year can be a varied climate – some days much colder than others, so make sure your wardrobe can adapt to any temperature.
- The NHS advises that vulnerable groups have a flu vaccine every year to prevent serious illness. The vaccine is free of charge to those aged 65 years and over – don’t forget to book it in around this time of year.
- As the days become shorter, have your eyesight checked by the optician and install strong lightbulbs in every room and hallway.
- Check the condition of all electrical appliances – especially the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – and be extra careful using electric blankets. Keep space heaters away from flammable surfaces.
Finally, regular calls and visits are the best way to prevent loneliness and ill health so don’t forget to check in on your neighbour, friend or relative!
Other articles you may like
- World Mental Health Day: how can we support our loved ones?
There is no health without mental health. It’s something that impacts every day of our lives in how we think, feel, and act. And yet for years, it’s been placed under a stigma, and awareness of mental health has continually been scrutinised. - How can we help older people learn new technology?
Community-building can be changing. What once used to be a face-to-face connection is now expanding to more online settings; think FaceTime, virtual events, and Facebook groups. And with more than one in three people over 65 lacking the skills needed to use the internet, there’s a real danger that our older loved ones may be missing out on opportunities to connect with the world around them. Helping relatives learn new technology is not just a helpful thing to do, but is so important in combatting social isolation, and reducing loneliness. - Creating a dementia friendly home
Dementia can be scary, both for the person with a diagnosis, and for anyone affected by that diagnosis. It can be caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, bringing memory loss, cognitive decline, and a loss of identity. - Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community
Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community July is officially Good Care Month, which means it’s a time to celebrateContinue reading “Good Care Month: Why carers are essential to the community “ - Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture.
Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture. When it comes to protecting adults at risk, it is essential toContinue reading “Protecting adults at risk: a closed culture is a poor culture. “ - World Parkinson’s Day: What can we do to help?
Last month, Birchwood Care Services honoured Parkinson’s Awareness Month, specifically World Parkinson’s Day on April 11th. It was a time to recognise those who are impacted by the condition, and advocate for better support not just for individuals with Parkinson’s, but for their caregivers and loved ones. - Stress Awareness Month – managing caregiver stress
Stress Awareness Month – managing caregiver stress At Birchwood Care Services, we see firsthand the compassion, strength, and dedication our carers bring to their roles each day. Caring is more than a job, it’s a passion. But while carers are busy supporting others, it’s a little too easy for their wellbeing to slip down the priority list. This April, as we recognise Stress Awareness Month, we want to shine a light on something essential because carers need care too. - A spring in our step at Birchwood Care Services
That’s right, it’s spring already! Time has flown by this year, and it’s been so nice to finally get a bit of sunshine. A lot of people associate spring with a happier time – the increased sunlight exposure leads to better sleep, more social interaction, and beautiful green spaces. - Celebrating love at every age this Valentine’s Day
Celebrating love at every age this Valentine’s Day We don’t go through life alone, and Valentine’s Day gives us the perfect opportunity toContinue reading “Celebrating love at every age this Valentine’s Day “
