Now, keep up to date
with daily feeds of newly posted stories
about America's Seniors...click on the box
to the left
Illinois Department on Aging provides tips
to keep Seniors Safe and Warm this Winter
SPRINGFIELD – On this first day of winter,
Illinois Department on Aging Director
Charles D. Johnson is encouraging older
people and their families to recognize that
winter poses a special threat to seniors.
“Seniors should get their furnace checked
each year to make sure it’s working
properly,” said Director Johnson.
“The state has a number of resources
available that seniors can use so they
aren’t left to make difficult decisions
like, whether to pay their heating bills or
take their prescription medications this
winter.
"I
hope that older persons, their families and
those who care for them will take these
practical, simple steps to prepare for the
colder temps ahead.”
Seniors should make sure they set their
thermostats above 65 degrees. Older persons
are at a higher risk to falling ill during
the cold winter months. People who lower
the thermostat to reduce heating bills risk
developing hypothermia, a potentially fatal
condition in which the body temperature
drops dangerously low.
At
increased risk are older people who take
certain medications, drink alcohol, lack
proper nutrition and who have conditions
such as arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer’s
disease and Parkinson’s disease.
In addition to winterizing the home, people
ages 50 and older are urged to get an annual
flu shot, since they are considered at risk
for seasonal flu. And H1N1 vaccinations are
now available to seniors who want them.
In dealing with cold weather, seniors are
encouraged to:
• Dress in layers, both indoors and
outdoors.
• Keep active. Make a list of exercises and
activities to do indoors when you can’t get
out.
• Eat well & drink 10 glasses of water
daily; Stock up on extra non-perishable food
supplies, just in case.
• Keep extra medications in the house. If
this is not possible, make arrangements now
to have your medications delivered.
• Have your house winterized. Be sure that
walls and attics are insulated. Caulk and
weather-strip doors and windows. Insulate
pipes near outer walls, in crawl spaces and
attics that are susceptible to freezing.
• Make sure you and your family knows how to
shut off the water supply in case pipes
burst.
• Prepare your vehicle by checking wipers,
tires, lights and fluid levels regularly.
Keep a windshield scraper and small broom
for ice and snow removal. Maintain at least
a half tank of gas during the winter
season. Plan long trips carefully and
travel by daylight with at least one other
person.
• Protect against fire. If you don’t have a
fire extinguisher, buy one. Make sure space
heaters are at least three feet from
anything flammable. Do not overload
extension cords.
• Do not shovel snow or walk in deep snow.
Plan now for someone else to shovel the
snow. The strain from the cold and hard
labor could cause a heart attack; sweating
can lead to a chill and even hypothermia.
For more information about program services
to assist older adults in Illinois and their
caregivers, call the Department on Aging
Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or for TTY
(hearing impaired use only) call
1-888-206-1327. Find how to “Keep Warm” at
1-877-411-WARM or
www.keepwarm.illinois.gov
... ..
...
...