New initiative called “Cold Watch Companions” helps seniors survive in winter dangers
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – February 3, 2011 – The biggest winter storm in years has left thousands of senior citizens homebound and in many cases, helpless. With the ice and snow piled up across almost a third of the country, many seniors can’t even open their front door, let alone get out on the dangerous, icy roads to get to the pharmacy, the grocery store, or the doctor’s office. When severe winter weather hits, seniors can feel trapped, frightened and alone.
That’s why Senior Helpers, a leading national in-home senior care company, has started an initiative called “Cold Watch Companions” to help seniors get the help and companionship they need this winter. Caregivers are working overtime to help seniors stay safe, keep their pantries stocked, prescriptions filled, and cope with cabin fever by just getting them out of the house.
“There are thousands of seniors from Colorado to Maine that are stuck indoors in the wake of this storm, and that’s why we’re asking or caregivers to go above and beyond to be Cold Watch Companions,” says Peter Ross, founder and CEO of Senior Helpers. “The seniors we care for need help getting around for all their basic necessities, and some can’t even get out to their mailbox in conditions like this. We’re working overtime to get to our senior clients, no matter how difficult it might be, because our help is absolutely vital for seniors in many cases and we won’t leave them stranded.”
Senior Helpers “Cold Watch Companions” Initiative
Besides driving seniors to the grocery store and the pharmacy, caregivers also:
* Arrange for ice and snow to be cleared from steps, walkways and driveways – falls are the leading cause of death by injury for Americans over age 65.
* Check the heat is on at least 68-70 degrees – Every year, hypothermia kills about 600 Americans, half of them seniors. Some seniors don’t feel temperature drops because of dementia or medication can affect awareness.
* Play games, rent movies, get books from the library to keep seniors engaged – seniors can suffer from depression in winter, which can be aggravated by medication and feelings of isolation that come with being trapped indoors.
* Prepare meals, monitor diet, and make sure seniors are drinking plenty of water – seniors who can’t get out may not be eating properly. Seniors get dehydrated much quicker because their bodies contain less water. During winter, they also don’t eat or drink as much so they take in less liquids.
* Monitor medication intake – keeping prescriptions filled and watching daily dosages is vital to staying healthy during extended periods of inclement weather where trips to the pharmacy and doctor are more difficult.
“Family members are the best Cold Watch Companions for the elderly, but many can’t get to their elderly loved ones or they live too far away,” says Ross. “If you have an aging loved one living on their own, you need to find a way to physically make it out to see them to make sure they’re healthy, safe and prepared. If you can’t do it personally, find a neighbor or a caregiver to do it for you – it can literally be a life saver.”
We can set up interviews with local seniors struggling to deal with the snow, ice and cold. We can provide local senior care experts and caregivers to talk about real dangers they are facing right now with their clients. This is an important story that affects so many families in your area worried about elderly loved ones.
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has more than 280 franchises across 40 states and one Canadian Province offering a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care.
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