Summer is gone, autumn is here, and the colder weather is fast approaching. Staying warm and comfortable can help keep you healthy this winter and keep your energy bills down. With a bit of preparation, you can ease into winter and stay warm. At Home Care Assistance, we know how important it can be to prepare for the colder weather. We have put together our top tips for keeping warm this winter.
- Sort Through your Clothes.
Now is the time to pull out your winter clothes and check they are still in wearable condition. Ensure you have enough warm clothes including long pants, jumpers, a jacket and layers. Keeping warm as we age can be more challenging, so having enough warm clothing is essential. Doing this now also gives you time to get more clothes if you need them and give anything that needs it a wash if it has been packed away. While sorting through your clothes, also go through your summer clothes. Anything that has had it can be thrown out rather than packed away. It is worth grabbing some more summer clothes in the end of season sales if you have a few items that need throwing away.
- Pull Out Your Blankets.
Putting an extra blanket on the bed can be a good idea in winter. Pull out your blankets, check that they are okay, and wash anything that needs it. Putting a blanket beside where you like to sit during the day is also a good idea. This can help keep you warm on chilly days. Getting your blankets ready now means you won’t be stuck trying to get them out when that first freezing night hits. Check that all the wiring is okay if you use an electric blanket. Turn it on and check it during the day before you get into bed with it on. Only put it back on your bed if it all looks okay. If you didn’t take your electric blanket off your bed, it is still a good idea to visibly check the wires and turn it on to ensure it works during the day. If you have any concerns, replace it. If you have home support from a specialist provider such as Home Care Assistance, ask your Care Professional for help if you cannot get your blankets out safely.
- Find Your Wheat Packs or Hot Water Bottles.
Wheat packs and hot water bottles can help keep you warm during the winter. Ensure you have found them and check the seals on your hot water bottle by filling it with cold water before using hot water.
- Check Your Heater Works.
While you may not need your heaters yet, it is a good idea to give them a test run before it gets cold – especially those heaters that only heat and therefore have not been used over the summer. Tradespeople are often busy when the cold weather strikes and people discover their heater isn’t working. If you give your heater a test now, you can get it serviced or repaired if needed before the cold weather starts.
- Find your Draft Stoppers
Draft stoppers can be a great way to keep the house warm and your heating bill down. If you have them, pull them out and check that they are in good condition. If you put off getting some last winter, now is the time to do it. You can get simple draft stoppers from Bunnings or door seals that are installed on the door. It is also worth checking the seals on your windows to see if they need resealing.
- Get Your Car or Scooter Serviced
Nothing is more miserable than your car breaking down on a wet and cold day. If you have been putting off getting your vehicle serviced, do it now. The same applies to mobility scooters. If you have any concerns about how they are working, get them checked before you get caught out in the cold weather.
- Get a Health Check-up and Book Your Vaccinations In
If you have been putting off having a health check-up, now is a good time to do it. Ensuring any chronic health conditions you may have are well managed helps to not only keep you healthy but helps reduce how sick you get if you do catch a winter cold. Vaccinations also need to be booked in. It is essential to keep your influenza and Covid-19 vaccinations up to date. Check with your GP/pharmacist to see if there are any other vaccinations you should be having.
Winter can be tricky, but a little preparation goes a long way. If you receive home support from a specialist provider such as Home Care Assistance, speak to your Care Professional about preparing for winter and find out how they can help you be prepared.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can greatly enhance your quality of life while you live independently. Home Care Assistance offers viable solutions for supporting independent living. For more information, contact a Home Care Assistance near you today.
