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The winter months can be a challenging time for older and vulnerable people. They are more likely to get sick, have accidents, and experience loneliness.

Fortunately, there are ways you can help keep older and vulnerable people healthy during the winter months. 

 

5 tips for keeping older and vulnerable people healthy during the colder months 

There are many ways to keep people healthy during the colder months. For example, we can provide them with warm clothing, food, and shelter. We can also provide them with assistive technology that will help them stay connected with their loved ones and make it easier for them to take care of themselves and do their daily tasks. 

If you’ve been looking for new ways to keep your loved ones safe during the winter months, we strongly recommend the following five tips to help. 

 

#1 Have a healthy diet 

One of the most critical factors of a healthy lifestyle during the winter months is to have a healthy diet. Ensuring you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and nutritious meals is important to improve your or your loved one’s immune system. 

 

#2 Keep active 

Staying active can seem less appealing during the winter months, but to stay fit and well, it is important to stay active wherever possible. While this may not ward off all problems, it is a great way to improve your wellbeing, optimism, and overall health.  

 

#3 Get out and about 

It is easy to stay at home when the winter months roll in. However, ensuring that older, vulnerable people get out and about is helpful during these lonely months. Not only does this help boost morale and optimism, but it also helps activity levels. 

 

#4 Keep warm 

Staying warm is crucial for health during the winter months. General advice is to keep homes of older people at a minimum of 18°C during the winter months to help reduce any risks associated with being cold. Although due to the cost-of-living crisis, these risks are growing more apparent. 

Assistive technologies can help with this problem. For example, there are heated blankets and heated pads that can be plugged into a power outlet or even microwaves that can be used as heaters. There are also heated seats which can be installed in the car or at home. Delta Wellbeing just worked in partnership with university experts to analyse the impact of seat warmers for their vulnerable and older clients. 

 

#5 Get vaccinated 

The flu vaccine is made available to every older person. Fortunately, getting vaccinated is quick and easy, so make sure you encourage your loved ones to get their vaccines as soon as possible. 

 

How Delta Wellbeing can help  

Did you know that Delta Wellbeing can actively help support your loved ones during the cold winter months? Through its CONNECT or Lifeline packages, Delta Wellbeing offers versatile and thorough telecare and lifeline services that helps protect the independence and happiness of older people. 

Through Technology Enabled Care support packages, older people can retain their independence and strength, and live with confidence and independence. In doing so, coupled with the five tips we have presented above, this can help ensure your loved ones are happy and well for as long as possible. 

 

Final thoughts 

The winter months can be difficult for older and vulnerable people. With this thought in mind, it is worth considering today’s five key tips for keeping older people healthy and well during the winter months. However, if you are still feeling unsure, please do not hesitate to contact our caring experts today. We are here to help! 

 

Resources (FREE & 24/7) 

Delta Wellbeing – 0300 333 2222 

The Silver Line Helpline by AgeUK - 0800 4 70 80 90