V!VA Oakville’s Health and Safety Tips for Seniors during Autumn and Winter
Published on September 18, 2020
While autumn and winter are full of beautiful scenery and fun-filled holidays, these seasons can still translate into increased loneliness for seniors. Aside from the limited ability to visit family and friends due to poor weather, snow, and ice—not to mention the current pandemic—seniors with health conditions might have difficulty staying healthy and safe. Our Oakville retirement home offers a plethora of services and programs to keep you healthy, fit, and safe, and we are ready to offer you senior living that meets your needs. Here are some other senior health and safety tips for autumn and winter.
Health Tips for Seniors in Autumn
Take Precautions against the Flu
Since flu season is just around the corner, getting the flu vaccine is highly recommended, especially for older adults. Thousands of people get very sick or die every year because of the flu, and the flu shot is a proven way to avoid getting sick from the flu.
Protect Yourself from the Cold
Autumn is a short season, and before you know it, the cold, icy temperatures of winter will arrive. Seniors can keep warm by ensuring home heating systems are working properly, and checking for a fully stocked seasonal wardrobe, including thick winter socks, warm slippers and a robe, along with knit blankets to help in those cooler parts of the house.
Organize Your Medicine Cabinet
Autumn is a great time to reorganize your home, starting with your medicine cabinet. Since the colder weather can reek havoc on our immune systems, it is best to prepare beforehand by ensuring your medicines and supplements are stocked up and not expired. You should also have ample hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, tissues, and any over-the-counter supplies, along with a first-aid kid just in case.
If there are any old prescriptions or expired products, you should dispose of them safely and be sure to fill any new prescriptions you may need for the winter.
Get Plenty of Exercise and Sleep
Another great way to prevent yourself from falling ill during the winter is by starting a regular exercise and sleep schedule now. By maintaining a healthy activity and sleep routine, you will improve your overall health, as rest and fitness do wonders for your immune system.
It does not take much—you can practice yoga in the comfort of your home, take a short walk around the neighbourhood when the sidewalks are clear and safe, or jog on a treadmill. Exercise helps you sleep, and sleep gives you energy to exercise. These two, hand in hand, will also keep your mind sharp and alert, and you will have the bonus of endorphins after you exercise. You will feel happier and more refreshed every day when you make exercise part of your routine.
Plan for Solitude as Visits Lessen in Cold Weather
Even though Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to bring family together, the holidays can still be a lonely time for many seniors. Freezing temperatures and bad weather can make it challenging to get around and can make it difficult to see friends and family often.
If you haven’t already, take the time this fall to learn how to use technology to keep in touch with loved ones and the outside world. With applications like Facebook, FaceTime and Zoom, seniors can stay in touch with family and friends, no matter how far apart they are.
Safety Tips for Seniors in Autumn
Avoid Falls
Inclement weather during the autumn and winter put seniors at a higher risk of slips and falls. Factors like increased irritation of joints or difficulty going out for daily exercise can make seniors with arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease more likely to fall at home.
This is one of the reasons why a retirement home is a great place to live. This environment is always being supervised by Team Members and our indoor programs can help seniors stay as strong and healthy as possible during the winter months.
Use Waterproof and Non-Slip Footwear
Autumn is known for its heavy rainfalls, which means you may want to invest in waterproof, non-slip footwear to prevent falls outside. Also, as daylight savings means it will start getting darker sooner, these shoes can prevent accidental falls in your home, especially in wet rooms like the kitchen and bathroom.
Lower the Risk of Fires
Lighting candles or burning incense are great ways to set an atmosphere in your home and make everything smell nice but leaving them unattended can be a serious fire hazard.
Autumn and winter see a spike in fires caused by improper candle use. If you are tired, save the candle lighting for another time, and always keep them out of reach of pets and grandchildren and away from high traffic areas.
V!VA Oakville’s Health and Wellness Programs for Autumn
At our senior living residence in Oakville, you can maintain your health and wellness, not just during autumn but all year-round. We offer a variety of programs and services that are designed to boost our Community Members’ health and wellbeing, including:
V!VAfit
Our V!VAfit program is one of the easiest ways to stay active during the autumn and winter. Our program combines cardio, balance, flexibility, and strength training, so you can reduce stress and achieve optimal health.
V!VAlicious
Fitness and health are incomplete without a proper diet, which is why we take great care in providing healthy, nutritious meals for our Community Members. If you have specific dietary needs or restrictions, we can accommodate you. We provide three meals a day, delicious dishes prepared by professional chefs, table service in the dining room, gourmet options, theme nights, and much more.
Active Living
If exercising the traditional way is not what you are looking for, there are many other ways you can be active and get the most out of life. Our Community Members often enjoy shopping trips, our Brain Gym with puzzles and games, cooking and baking demonstrations, group excursions to museums and galleries, lectures, and much more.
About V!VA Oakville Retirement Community
If you are considering Oakville as the retirement destination for yourself or your loved one, help them settle in at V!VA Retirement Communities. We understand how autumn and winter can be especially difficult, and therefore we provide a variety of activities and clubs for our Members to enjoy.
We also provide caretaking, handling of daily chores, medicine administration, and more, so Community Members have the freedom to do the things that bring them joy. Our activities foster wellness, happiness, and friendship.
To learn more about why you should choose V!VA Retirement Communities’ Oakville residence, email us at oakville@vivalife.ca or call us at (289) 725-6000.
