Seniors can enjoy the winter season without compromising their health. They can also benefit from staying active and socializing with their friends and family. Winter can be a beautiful and fun time of the year, if seniors take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the cold.
The CDC reports that, during 2018–2020, death rates attributed to excessive cold or hypothermia were generally higher in rural areas. Among females, the death rate increased from 0.11 per 100,000 for those residing in large central metro areas, to 0.40 for those rural areas.
Seniors are also more vulnerable to other effects of cold weather, such as dehydration and falls. To stay safe and healthy during the winter months, seniors (and their loved ones) should follow some simple tasks to keep warm, prevent accidents, and maintain their well-being.
These tasks include:
Setting the indoor temperature to at least 68°F.
Dressing in layers.
Make sure to get help salting and shoveling the sidewalks.
Drinking enough fluids.
Eating a balanced diet.
Checking on and/or installing carbon monoxide detectors.
Look out for signs of depression.
The St. Louis Care Alliance and all their members encourage everyone to check in on their loved ones during this upcoming cold spell and snowfall. A healthy community relies on everyone to make it through the tough times. With temperatures falling into the subzero, now is the time to make sure everyone is set up for success!
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