In many parts of the country, winter brings not only beautiful snowfalls and warm cocoa but also much more dangerous driving for everyone on the roads, and seniors are no exception. Even if your elderly loved one feels comfortable getting behind the wheel in most cases, winter may cause him to reconsider whether or not he should drive to a particular location because of concerns about getting there safely and getting back home again. Home care services can help.
What Makes Winter Driving Tough for Seniors
Several factors can make hopping in the car and driving to the market a bit more frightening and dangerous for some seniors without home care support. These factors should be taken seriously and discussed with your senior if you are worried about them getting behind the wheel during the winter months.
- Less Daytime Hours. Driving after dark gets more difficult as a person ages, and unfortunately, in the winter months, the world is darker for many hours. In some parts of the country, during the shortest days of the year, the sun may set as early as 4:30-5 pm, making going out after dinner near impossible.
- Road Quality. Winter can wreak havoc on the roads. From streets packed with snow, to slick ice, to heavily falling snow, to black ice (which, dangerously, cannot be seen), driving can be nerve-racking for even the most skilled driver.
- Extremely Cold Temperatures. When temperatures drop below zero or wind chills are in the negative, it can make even a short stall in the car dangerous. Your loved one may be physically okay when he first gets stuck in a snowbank, but cold temperatures can put him in great danger without immediate help.
- Dangerous Sidewalks and Driveways. Sometimes, just getting to the car is the scariest part of the journey. If your loved one has to walk across a parking lot or down a sidewalk, ice and chunks of snow can make it very difficult for those who already have balance issues.
Providing Safe Winter Travel Options
While using travel services such as taxis, Uber, and public transportation can help your loved one travel safely on the roads, none of them address one key aspect of keeping your loved one safe during the winter months. That aspect is making sure your loved one can safely leave her home and get into the doors at her desired location without worrying about icy sidewalks or uneven surfaces that could cause falls.
For secure travel from your loved one’s front door to the front door of her destination, your loved one may need the help of an individual trained in the home care needs of the elderly. Home care agencies offer transportation services to help ensure your loved one can get where she needs to go safely.
A home care provider will come to your loved one’s door, make sure she’s dressed for the weather, and then escort her to their vehicle. Family members and friends can often help with transportation needs as well, but when no one is available, your loved one will have reliable transportation help when you work with a home care agency to provide her with the support she needs during the long, cold winter months.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Golden, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (720) 789-8529
At Talem Home Care of Broomfield, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Broomfield, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Commerce City, Denver, Erie, Firestone, Lafayette, Lakewood, Longmont, Louisville, Northglenn, Sherrelwood, Thornton, Welby, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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