Baby, it’s cold outside. So, you need to think differently about some of your daily regiments, if you care for a senior or if you are a senior. Here are a few healthy tweaks to make when the temperatures are low and the winds are gusty:
- Drive and walk safely. Winter weather brings all sorts of driving hazards, so make sure the car is tuned up, gassed up, and has the right tires. Good idea to have an extra blanket in the trunk as well as a towel, for cold and rainy days (the worst!) Pay attention to the weather reports, as even a leisurely stroll around the mall can go haywire if the winter rains and winds blow in. This well-rated weather website also has an app for your smartphone. https://www.accuweather.com
- Care for your dry skin. Remember the joke, “Your epidermis is showing”? Well, your skin IS your biggest organ, and it’s exposed to increased indoor dryness when the heat is on inside the house. This can lead to cracking skin, which may be vulnerable to infection. A great moisturizer that is gentle on skin without an oily residue is https://www.beautycounter.com/product/body-butter-in-citrus-mimosa
- Hydrate like you mean it. Hot summer temps and high humidity may make you feel thirsty, but it’s important to drink enough water in the winter months, too. For the record, coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol don’t count toward the recommended 64 ounces. But these drinks may actually mean you need to imbibe even more water just to counteract the potential dehydrating properties of such beverages. Here’s a cool idea to help seniors remember when to drink their H2O. https://goodgiftsforseniorcitizens.com/2018/08/31/timed-water-bottles/
- Be a flu fighter. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May. Ask your doctor to see if he or she recommends whether the senior and/or caregiver should get flu shots this year. Before you call the doc, here’s some info about the flu from the Center for Disease control. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm