Keep Your Elderly Parents Safe This Holiday Season With These Practical Tips

Holidays are time or families and friends to spend time together. They’re a time for being thoughtful, spreading cheer, and thinking of others. While you’re busy with work, holiday planning, and shopping, make sure your parents are staying safe. Here are some things to consider.

Turn Baking Days Into a Family Event

Holiday baking is a tradition that never gets old. Your mom loves to make cookies to share with neighbors, friends, and family members. She does forget to turn off the oven, however. She overcooked the cookies last year, which led to a house filled with smoke.

This year, join your mom for a family baking event. Everyone can bring a favorite recipe or two, the necessary ingredients, and any supplies your mom doesn’t have on hand. You’ll chip in and help each other make cookies. Order a pizza when everything’s baked and packaged.

Check the Christmas Tree’s Water Level Twice a Day

Have you seen the video that the National Fire Protection Agency released to show the danger of not watering a Christmas tree? In 30 seconds, the room is engulfed in flames.

If your parents have a tree in their house, make sure they keep it watered. They should check the water level twice a day and add water if it’s getting low. If they have a hard time getting down on their hands and knees, make sure someone can stop by and check the water for them. If that’s not possible, an artificial tree or small tree on a tabletop is a safer idea.

Make Sure the Driveway and Walkways Are Safe

Winter’s ice and snow create hazards for anyone walking on them. Your dad could slip on ice or snow when walking out to get the mail. Your mom might slip on an icy step and hit her head on a stair as she falls on the sidewalk below.

If you don’t live close enough to shovel snow or salt icy steps and sidewalks, see if a neighborhood teen will do it for some cash. You could also hire a snow removal company to keep the driveway clear and walkways salted or sanded.

It Could Be Time to Look Into Home Care

No one loves aging, but you can’t stop the clock. If you’ve noticed your parents are becoming forgetful or have a hard time with daily routines, it’s time for elderly home care. Caregivers can help your parents remember what they need to do. If a laundry hamper is too heavy to carry to the washing machine, an elderly care professional can carry it. Discover other helpful services by calling our elderly care agency.

Sources:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr6b9b8FYKk

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Indian Trail NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail.