How to Keep Seniors Safe and Healthy This Autumn and Winter in Hertfordshire

Keeping warm is essential to prevent health complications in cold weather, but it’s equally important to do so safely. Here are some steps to ensure a senior’s home remains a safe haven from the chill, with care solutions to help maintain quality home care at every step.

1. Regulate Indoor Temperatures: Maintaining a consistent temperature, ideally between 18°C and 21°C, can prevent hypothermia or related illnesses. Drought excluders, thicker curtains, and radiator thermostats help keep rooms cosy and energy-efficient. Our Care Professionals regularly check that clients’ heating is safely functioning and make sure the home remains warm, adding an extra layer of personal care tailored to the client’s comfort.
2. Check for Droughts and Insulate Windows and Doors: Older homes in Hertfordshire often have charming yet droughty features. Consider using thermal curtains or adding weatherproofing strips to doors and windows to keep the warmth in. Our team can help identify any cold spots and recommend practical, affordable ways to make homes warmer, ensuring our care solutions meet the unique complexity of care provided.
3. Layer Up: Even indoors, wearing layered clothing is an excellent way to retain warmth. Multiple layers made of materials like wool or cotton trap body heat effectively, helping seniors stay cosy. Fleece-lined slippers, warm cardigans, and light blankets within easy reach also contribute to maintaining a comfortable temperature. Our Care Professionals can assist clients in selecting appropriate outfits for the season, ensuring they’re dressed warmly each day. They can also support with trips to the shops to purchase additional winter clothing, helping seniors stay comfortable and prepared during the colder months.

For those who may prefer fewer shopping trips in the winter, having the right supplies on hand is essential. Here’s a list of items we recommend to stock up on to make meals and snacks easy to prepare, nutritious, and enjoyable.

• Protein-Rich Foods

1. 1. • Tinned Meats and Fish: Items like chicken, salmon, and sardines are high in protein and omega-3s, which support heart and brain health.
      • Beans and Lentils: These are perfect for stews and soups, providing fibre and protein in one serving.
      • Nuts and Seeds: These can be added to oatmeal or yoghurt for a satisfying snack or breakfast option.

• Dairy and Milk Alternatives

1. 1. • Long-Life Milk or Plant-Based Milks: Almond, soy, or oat milk is excellent for those avoiding dairy but still wanting a calcium boost.
      • Cheese and Yoghurt: These make for convenient, high-calcium snacks that support bone health.

• Whole Grains

1. 1. • Oats, Brown Rice, and Pasta: These foods are versatile and provide slow-releasing energy, ideal for staying active and maintaining warmth.

• Fruit and Vegetables

1. 1. • Tinned and Frozen Vegetables: Peas, spinach, and carrots can be easily added to any meal to boost vitamins and minerals.
      • Frozen Berries and Tinned Fruit in Juice: These are a great way to add antioxidants and vitamin C into daily diets.

• Beverages and Hydration

1. • Herbal Teas and Hot Chocolate: Perfect for staying warm, herbal teas like ginger or chamomile offer added health benefits, such as aiding digestion or promoting sleep.

Our Care Professionals often help with grocery shopping and meal preparation, ensuring that these essential items are stocked and easily accessible, helping clients stay healthy and comfortable with a consistent care plan.

With shorter days and longer nights, seniors may feel more isolated. Maintaining social connections is essential for mental well-being, and our team supports clients’ social and mental health with companionship visits and activity support.

1. Virtual Activities and Calls: Video calls with family members can be scheduled regularly, offering a wonderful way for seniors to stay connected with loved ones. Additionally, virtual events hosted by local Hertfordshire community centres provide an opportunity to engage with others from the comfort of home. Our Care Professionals can assist clients in setting up devices, facilitating long-distance video calls, and even prompting them to check and respond to messages from family members. Whether it’s chatting with family over a video call or catching up with friends, we’re here to help maintain those meaningful connections that brighten the day.
2. Companionship Visits: Our Care Professionals provide more than just assistance with daily tasks—they offer companionship and warmth during every visit, which lasts a minimum of one hour. This allows time for meaningful social interactions, whether it’s engaging in conversation, playing a card game, or sharing a comforting cup of tea. Having a caring and familiar person nearby not only helps alleviate loneliness but also provides peace of mind to family members, knowing their loved one is supported and valued.
3. Dementia-Friendly Activities: For clients with dementia, our team is trained to provide tailored, engaging activities that suit their interests and needs. From puzzles and gentle exercise to local dementia-friendly events, these activities add structure and enjoyment to the day, preventing the “winter blues” while fostering joy within dementia care communities.

“Our family can’t thank Home Instead East Hertfordshire enough for the care and attention they’ve provided for my father over the winter months. Their support has given us all peace of mind knowing he’s safe, warm, and well cared for,” says Mrs. Collins from Bishop’s Stortford.

The relationships our Care Professionals build with clients mean that your loved one is surrounded by people who care, bringing warmth and connection to each visit. Our clients often tell us how much they look forward to their care professional’s visit, a testament to the strong bonds they develop.

Is your loved one prepared for winter? Home Instead East Hertfordshire is here to support seniors in staying warm, safe, and connected. To learn more about our tailored winter care plans or to discuss specific needs, give us a call or visit our website.

Contact Us Today on 01279 721443

Supporting Your Loved Ones Through Every Season