AHI Group Blog

The cold months of winter can be harsh for seniors. It is imperative that your loved ones stay safe during the wintertime. Your loved one’s safety not only includes dressing suitably for the cold weather but also ensuring their homes are ready for the winter season. Depending on where your loved one lives, there may only be a little bit to do to winter-proof in and around their homes. On the other hand, if your senior loved one lives in the colder regions, your to-do list may be long. Here are a few tips from Startup HomeCare to help weatherproof your loved one’s home this winter. Interior Check the furnace and make sure it is in good working order. Also, clear away any materials that can become a fire hazard. Purchase and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and stock up on batteries for both devices. If there are any other heating units, have…

During the long, cold winter, isolation and/or depression can be a challenge for seniors and caregivers. Proper home health care training for winter can help make those months more bearable. Some individuals suffer from SAD or “Seasonal Affective Disorder”. For those experiencing SAD, the absence of natural sunlight during this season upsets the sleep-wake cycle. SAD may also affect hormones like melatonin and the balance of chemicals such as serotonin in the brain, which can change someone’s mood. Whether someone just has an annual wintertime malaise or truly suffers from SAD, these darker colder days can actually take a toll.  Combine that with cold-weather ailments and the flu season and it is understandable why many people flock to places like Arizona and Florida during the winter. However, this option is not available for many. So, whether you are a caregiver or senior, consider the following tips to beat the winter blues.  Befriend the Birds…

During the winter season, cold temperatures, snow, and ice can make life challenging for seniors. Home health businesses need to plan around cold temperatures and slippery sidewalks. These two items can cause in a wide array of illnesses and injuries. One way to prevent injuries from a fall would be to check the weather before leaving home. If the forecast expects freezing rain or snow, simply reschedule any activities taking place away from home. Senior falls in the snow or ice can be especially dangerous during the winter season. Your senior loved one may not understand just how slippery the sidewalks may be and a slip and fall could result in a great deal of damage to their body. Countless seniors will experience a bone fracture of some kind, especially in their wrist, hips, shoulders, and ankles. Unfortunately, a bone fracture of this type can be life-changing for the elderly. This is why it…