Good news! Winter is almost over, and the weather is starting to warm up, so we can all start defrosting from the cold. However, that also means it is time to start preparing for summer so that you are ready for when it gets hot. At Home Care Assistance we know how important it is to be ready as the weather changes, so we have put together our top eight tips for helping seniors prepare for the warmer weather.
- Sort Your Wardrobe.
This is the ideal time to sort through your wardrobe. Get out your summer clothes and make sure you have everything you need. If you need more items, shop to get what you need, whether online or going to the shops. You may also want to pack away your winter clothes but consider sorting through them before you do and throwing out anything that has had it.
- Check Your Air Conditioner.
Turn on your air conditioner and any fans you use before the first heat wave and check that they are working. Sometimes, these things stop working and need repair when not used for a while. This way, you can call in the repair person before it gets too hot.
- Think About Your Food and Water Intake
During summer, we need to consume more fluids; start doing this now so you get into the habit early. Also, eating lighter meals in hot weather is often easier, so start preparing for this in your shopping.
- Get Your Garden Ready
If you have a garden, now is a good time to get it under control – or arrange for someone else to do it. Getting the garden under control now will make it more accessible during the warmer weather when it is tricky to be outside. If you need to water your garden, it is also a good idea to check any hoses or sprinkler/water systems you have not used since last summer.
- Get the Gutters Cleaned Out
In many parts of Australia, summer also includes storms. Getting the gutters clear can help protect your house in the case of a storm. Only climb up ladders yourself if you can do so safely; do not do this while alone at home.
- Get Bushfire Ready
Summer is also a time for bushfires. Now is an excellent time to revisit your bushfire plan – this should be done every year because things change, and you want to know what to do in an emergency without thinking about it. Even if you do not live in a high-risk area for bushfires, you should still have an emergency plan. Check your local emergency services website – they may have plan templates you can use. Ensuring you have insurance documents and anything else you need stored electronically in the cloud to access it from anywhere is helpful if the worst happens and your house burns down. Also, keep a supply of all the medications you take where you can grab them easily in an emergency, along with anything else you may need.
- Make Those Appointments You Have Been Putting Off
Now is a great time to make those appointments you have been putting off over winter, due to the cold, before it gets hot. This might be your GP, dentist, audiologist, optometrist, or anything relevant. Getting these down now means they are out of the way before the risk of scorching days hits.
- Make the Necessary Preparations for Your Pets
While preparing ourselves and our homes for hot weather, it is also essential to prepare your pets. Do they need a clip before summer? Do they have access to a suitable water container? Do they have access to shelter to stay out of the sun on hot days? Do you need to make plans for them for sweltering days, such as bringing them inside – this can be done by clearing a space in the bathroom or laundry or segregating an area for them if you do not want them having the run of the whole house.
The warmer weather is on its way. Now is the time to prepare before trying to do it in the heat. Don’t forget; if you have home care provided by a Care Professional, they can help you with many of these tasks or help you arrange for someone to do them where appropriate.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefits and comfort to your quality of life while living independently. Home Care Assistance has viable solutions for supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with a Home Care Assistance near me today.
