Cold temperatures, snow, ice and longer dark hours present different challenges for caregivers and their loved ones. Add flu season and the lingering Covid 19 pandemic to the mix, and winter has the potential to become even more of a threat.

It’s essential to be prepared to tackle the season head-on as an effective caregiver. Here are some vital steps you can take to cope with caregiving in winter.

GENERAL

• Think back to last winter. Were there some problems you weren’t prepared for? Prioritize solutions for them this year.
• Speak to your loved one about staying indoors as much as possible. Everyday activities such as going to the mailbox and clearing snow can be dangerous.

Seniors are very susceptible to slips and falls on snowy, icy ground. In Alberta, more than 1,000 seniors die each year as a result of falls. Falls also lead to an increase in hospitalization, chronic pain, and physical disability.

• Seniors can still maintain an active schedule with indoor activities such as walking in community centres or malls, swimming, Tai Chi or yoga, or chair exercises.
• Designate someone — a family member, friend, loved one, or community organization  — ahead of time to pinch hit for you to do wellness visits or run errands if you are not available.
• Make sure your loved one has masks and hand sanitizers to help keep them protected from colds, flu and Covid 19.
• Either visit or call your loved one if a snow storm or blizzard warning is in effect to ensure they have everything they need to stay healthy and safe.

• Use grocery and pharmacy delivery services as well, but don’t depend on them solely. Even they can be impeded by severe winter weather and bad driving conditions.
• Consider installing a generator, especially if your loved one uses an oxygen machine. Some small, indoor solar generators can power several appliances and electronics in the event of a power outage.
• Provide your loved one with rechargeable LED camp lights that can be used indoors. They are safer alternatives to candles during a blackout.
• Check fire and carbon monoxide detectors. According to Fire Prevention Canada, winter is the worst time for residential fires.
• Make sure your loved one has a fire extinguisher and knows how to use it.
• If you cannot remove snow from your care recipient’s driveway, book a snow removal service to take care of it. If you cannot afford it, ask around the neighbourhood to find a teen or college student who is providing the service, usually at a more affordable price.
• Remove fallen branches, debris and wet leaves that can increase the risk of falls and injury.
• Spray door keyholes with a product like WD-40 to prevent keys sticking. This could lead to your loved one being locked out in cold weather for an extended period of time.

• Try to maintain an exercise routine, even if you have to switch from your usual outdoor activities to indoor ones.
• Try to enjoy the treats of the season in moderation. High-sugar and fatty foods, caffeine and alcohol can affect your mental health, including boosting levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
• Remember to include your loved one as much as possible in the Christmas and holiday preparations. It goes a long way to helping them feel valued and less lonely during a season that is notorious for exacerbating loneliness and depression.
• Create a sleep routine to help you battle sleeplessness, which can be worse in winter due to disrupted melatonin levels as a result of shorter daylight hours.

Despite the challenges that winter creates for caregiving, the upside is that the season comes every year. You are expecting it. So, you can prepare it for it in a timely and efficient way to make things much smoother for you and your loved one who depends on you.

SOURCES

Fall related mortality rates among Alberta seniors