Help your loved one get ready for winter

In just another week autumn will officially begin. The Halloween decorations have been in stores for a while now and Christmas items will be on shelves (if not already out in a few places). We may not want to think about it, but Old Man Winter will be visiting in the not-too-distant future. At some point you will think about moving clothes around, replacing shorts and t-shirts for jeans and sweaters, and pulling out the fall decorations.

But what about your senior loved ones? Are they ready for winter?

Here are 3 tips to help them ease into the change of seasons:

• Fashion.  Is your loved one gaining or losing weight? Make sure their clothes fit properly. If they don’t, they may be self-conscious and not want to leave the house. This creates more isolation. We all like to get something new once-in-a-while. Your loved one is probably no different. Move their summer clothes and pull out their winter wardrobe. Many seniors tend to be cold so they may need those warmer clothes sooner rather than later. On that note, make sure their furnace has been serviced recently and ready to use so their home is always at the right temperature. At NSC we make sure our facility is at the right temperature so our Members are comfortable while they are with us.
• Food.  Summertime is about fresh produce, salads and ‘light’ food. But that doesn’t mean seniors need to eat unhealthy in the winter. There are plenty of fruits and veggies that are harvested in the fall. Start to make some of your loved one’s favorite soups or slow cooker meals that can be portioned, frozen and enjoyed throughout the winter. Can you spend one meal with your loved one periodically? Food tastes better when you can share it with someone. At NSC we provide a hot lunch to our Members every day. They can enjoy foods like pot roast, tilapia, or chicken, along with a salad or veggies (many times our own home-grown produce), and dessert.
• Fun.  What activities is your loved one involved in? Can those activities be done in the winter as well as the summer months? If not, talk to your loved one about getting involved in something different, yet fun, over the winter. Do they like crafts, sports, music, cards or something else? See what activities are available at the local rec center or YMCA. At NSC we have a variety of activities that our Members can be involved in each day. Many Members enjoy playing Wii golf or bowling while other Members are playing bunco and coloring.

Every day we strive to provide a fun, safe environment for our Members so they can feel like this is their home away from home. We want them to be as comfortable here as they are in their own home. Our Members socialize, verbalize, improvise, evangelize, visualize, exercise, have fun, and a host of other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation.

Call to action: to learn more about how NSC can provide a respite for you and a great social environment for your loved one, contact our Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Theresa, at 630.857.3017. You can also schedule a tour to see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home.”