How to Keep the Elderly Safe During Winter

By: Amanda Whitsell

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   Here in Knoxville, Tennessee, we are expecting to get one of the heaviest snows since 1993. A lot of people are excited for winter activities, but it's important to be prepared for the snow. It’s important to have at least 3 days' worth of non-perishable food and a gallon of water per person. If you heat your house with propane, it is important to have it all restocked and is a reliable way to get more, for the first day or so it should not be necessary to leave you home. It's important to plan for emergencies in case any ambulances are not able to get to your house or if the power were to go out. Prepare your medications properly and make sure you will not run out for a week in case you won't be able to leave your home. Make sure to have a fully charged battery to you oxygen tank, wheelchair, and hearing aids. It would also be important to have a battery that you would be able to hook a heater and phone to. It would also be important to have a list of the medications that you are taking and how frequently you need to take them, along with a list of contacts for your close family and your doctors. 

   If you are the neighbor of an elderly person, some tips to check on your neighbor would be to check on them. Make sure they have adequate food and heating if the power were to go out. If you can salt their walkways and driveways, Elderly people can get a severe heart attack. If your neighbor needs to drive somewhere to get a prescription or food, don't let them drive! Take them yourself.

my source by-council on aging