Month: December 2021

For many, winter is the happiest time of the year. Families gather for the holidays and friends celebrate as they usher in another new year. Winter can also be a difficult time for older adults. The onset of cold weather can create hazardous conditions outside, and people often prefer to stay home when it’s more pleasant indoors, which can lead to social isolation and depression. Here are a few tips on how to maintain senior safety this winter.

Prepare for snow and ice

Whenever snow or ice appear in the forecast, bundle up with gloves, a heavy coat, a scarf, or other warm clothes to protect you from the cold. Wear shoes with non-skid soles, take your car in for regular check-ups and make sure that your snowblower is working. Put ice scrapers in your cars and keep shovels and a bucket of rock salt or other de-icing salt at the ready.

This last point is important, because an estimated 36 million older adults fall each year and slips and falls can cause serious injuries in older adults. So if you think it’s safe enough to go to outside but you’re still leery about driving, don’t hesitate to ask friends, family or neighbors to give you a ride or help with errands.

Stock up on food and blankets

When your front walk is crusted over with ice and you’ve heard news reports about accidents on the highways, it’s probably best to stay indoors. One measure you can take to ensure that you’re equipped to wait out the weather is to stockpile water bottles, a pantry of groceries (including non-perishable items like canned meats, vegetables and soups), and a week’s worth of medication. And be sure to keep warm blankets and extra layers of clothing in the house.

Make sure your generator’s working

Blizzards and snowstorms may sound picturesque, but winter weather can down power lines and snap off the electricity inside your home. To be prepared for a power outage, buy a portable generator, which should keep your electricity running even if you get cut off from your main power sources. Store a flashlight and extra batteries in an easy-to-reach place like a bedside table, buy a food thermometer, and assemble an emergency kit that might include extra cash, maps of your area and a first aid kit with relevant medications.

Connect with others

One aspect of senior safety that has more to do with mental rather than physical health is staying connected with others. People tend to stay indoors more often during the winter, but whenever you have the chance to catch up with friends and family, try to stay connected and engaged.

Call or Zoom with children or grandchildren who are out of town. When the weather permits, go mall-walking with a friend, join a book club, or have dinner at a neighbor’s house. Take every opportunity to stay active and invigorated with other people’s company, because a healthy social life correlates with fewer feelings of negativity – which is a great way to ward off the winter blues.

Keep safe this winter

At Atria, we understand the importance of social connection for older adults especially during a season when it’s harder for older adults to go outside. That’s why Atria residents enjoy winter events such as movies, workshops, group outings and engaging holiday programs – while maintaining flu and COVID health and safety measures.

“After all that you’ve done in life, there’s still plenty of life to live. Each day, I continue to embrace life, pursue purpose and be open for adventure. It’s not always easy, but when I reflect over each experience, it’s always worth it.”

The quote above is from Atria’s longtime friend Billie Jean King, a celebrated tennis champion and equal-rights activist. Billie Jean recently sat down with three Atria residents and asked them how they’re redefining aging, which you can learn more about in our Next Chapter video series. 

While their answers were as unique as each of their life stories, a common thread was woven between them. Each resident saw retirement as a both a time for reflection and for looking ahead – an opportunity to pursue new interests and reinvent themselves. Based on what they shared, and others have told us, we’ve compiled a few tips to help with your own reinvention.

Escape the clutter

By the time you’ve reached retirement, you’ve no doubt acquired a lot of “stuff.” While some possessions hold deep sentimental value, getting rid of – or donating – less cherished household items is often very freeing. Downsizing typically means less home maintenance, which frees up time for more joyful pursuits. In fact, many older adults have found that it actually changed their outlook on life and made them more open to new possibilities.

Go back to the future

Reflecting on your past can help shape your future. What experiences brought you the most joy? Consider rekindling your passions for old hobbies or taking up a new one. Maybe there was something you’ve always wanted to try, like gardening, Thai Chi, playing the piano or painting, but never found the time to pursue.

Whatever you decide on, remember that you don’t have to jump in feet first – baby steps are fine. Whether it’s talking about your interests with others, reading up about it, or acquiring any supplies that may be needed, your journey of reinvention starts with a single step.

Connect with others

Wherever your interests take you, having others to share your time and experiences with fosters a renewed sense of self. Seek out volunteer opportunities, join a club, sign up for a community class or attend a lecture. And be sure to reach out to others – as the saying goes, a stranger is a friend you don’t yet know.

Studies have shown that socialization improves well-being in older adults. That’s why Atria created the Engage Life^® program to provide residents daily opportunities to express themselves creatively, connect with each other and nature, have fun, and stay fit with events that are tailored to meet their particular interests.

Get the support you need

At Atria, new chapters of life unfold each day, and living in a senior community can help you get the most out of retirement. Our vibrant communities offer engaging events and a welcoming environment where you can grow, stay active and connect with the world. With a wealth of experience and wisdom behind you and many opportunities ahead, we’ll help see that you’re well equipped to reinvent yourself for your next chapter.

As Billie Jean King says, “Don’t be afraid to try something new or even start all over. I encourage you to go all in. Make this next chapter of your life better than the last.”

Winter is a few weeks away, and for many seniors and homeowners in the US, that means another season of inclement weather outdoors – and a few months spent checking that everything’s working properly indoors. Here are a few tips on how to winterize your home and avoid the challenges that can occur when the snow falls and the air freezes:

Take a look at your heating system

A lot can happen to an HVAC system over the course of a year. Dust can build up. Parts can break. Filters can clog. So when homeowners turn on their heating systems after being dormant for months, they may discover an issue they didn’t anticipate. Before it gets to that point, turn it on in advance to make sure everything’s working properly.

Hire an HVAC company to inspect the ducts, furnace, and other heating systems in your house, and cover up any outside A/C units to shield them from snow and ice build-up. Once your HVAC is running properly, keep your heat set to at least 68–70°F.

Protect your pipes

Another reason to set your thermostat to 68–70°F is to make sure that your pipes don’t freeze. Burst pipes are one of the most frequent causes of property damage during the winter and can cost upwards of $5,000 in water damage. If you leave town for the holidays, you can turn the temperature down to 55°F, but don’t dial it down any further. Open the doors inside your house so that warm air can circulate. Let cold water drip from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.

Inspect your chimney

A fireplace is one of the joys of wintertime. If your chimney flue is closed, however, a fireplace or other gas heater might emit exhaust in your house, which may cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide poisoning detector or buy another one if it’s defunct or seems not to be working. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and make an appointment for someone to inspect your chimney when the weather turns cold.

Eliminate any cold drafts

Ask someone to inspect the crawl space, the attic, or any other hard-to-get areas to make sure that all the nooks and crannies of your house are adequately insulated. While they’re in your house, see if they can plug up any chilly drafts that may let the cold air in and seal up any cracks or holes with caulk. Consider installing a storm-door or weather-proof the windows. Replace any breezy summer curtains with heavier winter drapes.

Clean out your gutters

Another way to winterize your home is to ask a relative or a neighbor – or hire a gutter cleaning company – to clear out leaves, mud or sticks that may be clogging your gutters. Water finds its way into the tiniest cracks and holes in any home, and the accumulation of debris can cause rain and snow runoff to pool and seep into the roof, walls and even the foundation of your house.

A good choice this winter

Winter should be a cozy time for all of us. At Atria, our communities are furnished with all the comforts of home and equipped with the safety measures that come with being part of a senior living community. We know how to winterize our communities to create a home for residents that assures they’re safe and snug indoors when it’s sleeting and snowy outdoors.

Visit AtriaWinterWellness.com to learn more about how we’re keeping residents safe this winter.