Well, chilly rainy season is officially here and the cold,
wet weather can pose serious health hazards to aging seniors. The change in
weather not only makes surfaces more slippery, leading to difficult mobility, but
other conditions such as depression are more common as the temperature drops[1].
However, the most common wintery weather woe is the frigid cold. That is why with
the change in season, there needs to be a change in your wardrobe. So grab your
coat and let’s talk scarves, boots and more!
Rain, rain, go, away, please come back another day! Well, if
your singing hasn’t stopped the inclement weather, it may be time to deal with
the changing season by making just a few simple adjustments. A heavier jacket
may make the frigid temperatures more bearable, but what can you wear to
protect yourself from those outside slippery stairs? Life Alert Protection.
With Life Alert’s lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around your neck or
wrist, you can summon emergency medical help with lightning speed. So while
other people may be stranded yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”
you’ll be riding a rainbow of safety with Life Alert’s emergency pendant.
However, you can’t stay holed up in your house all winter
long so how can you stay protected when out and about? With Life Alert’s HELP
Pendant. A wearable, mobile medical
alert system that you can take while on the go so that you will always be under
the umbrella of Life Alert protection.
Along with Life Alert’s top of the line medical alert services, here are
some more tips from wikiHow[2]
to stay nice and toasty while out in the cold:
1.
Dress in
layers. Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers. It will
insulate better and allow you to strip off layers if the temperature climbs.
2.
Dress for
the appropriate activity level. Dressing for an active day of skiing will
be different than dressing for a sedentary day of ice fishing.
3.
Buy or
find a pair of insulated boots. Ideally, the lining should be wool or synthetic--not
cotton. Linings can be purchased separately. You can purchase boots already
with the lining, or use boots two sizes larger than usual, and use a lining.
4.
Wear
winter socks. Warm winter socks are important in keeping warm dry feet.
Wool is best, although good synthetic "fleece" socks are often quite
good. You can layer socks, but be careful that your feet are comfortable and
the circulation isn't shut down.
5.
Use a
good quality coat, parka, or jacket. Generally speaking, the thicker the
better, whether it is a synthetic ski jacket, a wool pea coat, or a down
jacket.
6.
Wear a
base layer. A "base layer" is long johns, union suit, long
underwear, or whatever can provide a warm, light base to your winter gear.
Merino wool products are recognised as one of the best base layers available.
7.
Wear a
hat. While it's a myth that most body heat escapes through the head,
covering any exposed body part helps retain body heat.
8.
Wear
gloves or mittens. Fingers and hands are very vulnerable to the cold, so
keep them covered. Very thin gloves (like "magic gloves") are better
than nothing, but comfortable, warm gloves are important.
9.
Hand
warmers can be useful, especially if you don't have shelter handy. They can
be purchased at any outdoor or hunting store. Never use these as a substitute
for dressing warmly, however.
10.
Wear more
than one layer on your legs. Oddly, some people will wear five layers on
their torso, and only one layer on the legs. At minimum, have a base layer like
long underwear and an outer layer, like snowboarding pants.
11.
Keep dry.
Being wet will cause chill to set in more quickly than if you're dry. Have
waterproof or at least water resistant outer layers.
Now that you’re all bundled up and protected from the cold,
add another layer of protection with Life Alert Protection! Simply wear their
emergency pendant on your neck or wrist and get the best personal protection
this winter.
If you encounter a slippery fall, just push the button on
your pendant and you’ll receive an emergency medical response fast! Better yet,
the emergency pendant is completely discreet and can be worn under your winter
garments without anyone noticing. No
matter when you may run into trouble, Life Alert’s dispatch center is available
24/7 so you can feel 100% protected all year long!
To know more about the downpour of many Life Alert lifesaving
services, call 1-800-513-2934 for a free brochure. Get Life Alert and you won’t
have to stop between the raindrops to keep safe and protected.
Works Cited:
1.
“Cold
Weather Health Tips for Seniors.” Protected
Tomorrows. <http://protectedtomorrows.com/community/articles/196.php>.
2.
“How to Dress for the Cold.” wikiHow. < http://www.wikihow.com/Dress-for-the-Cold>.
