Why You Should Move to a Retirement Community before the Winter
Published on August 9, 2019
As the leaves begin to change colour and the weather begins to cool, autumn can be a very beautiful time of year. But as soon as the first snow fall happens and the ground freezes over, it poses a huge safety risk for older adults in the winter. If you or your loved one is considering moving into a retirement community or assisted living community, you should consider moving before the winter begins. Here are some important reasons why you should be concerned about your senior loved one’s safety this winter and some great benefits of retirement living that you should know about.
Reasons to Move to a Retirement Community before the Winter
Risks Due to Ice and Snow
One of the biggest reasons to move into retirement living before the winter is to avoid the dangers of the road due to ice and snow. Freezing rain and snow can make road conditions extremely dangerous, so seniors should avoid driving during this time of year. If they must drive, they should drive slowly, make sure that they have snow tires installed, and keep blankets and food in the car in case the vehicle is disabled or stranded. Another risk of moving in the winter is the risk of slips and falls on icy ground. Older adults need to be extremely careful to dress warmly when going outside and avoid wandering off on their own.
Higher Potential for Illness and Injury
There are many enjoyable activities that happen during the winter such as the holidays, but the cold weather can also increase the risk of catching the flu. Senior are extra vulnerable to the flu during the winter, so it’s important to ensure that they are making wise choices that are good for their health. Home upkeep during the winter can also be difficult for seniors and increase their risk of health complications. While shovelling snow, they could fall on ice or become ill, which could lead to a long recovery.
More Home Maintenance during the Winter
If your elderly loved one lives at home on their own, there are many responsibilities they would need to manage on their own, such as checking that pipes are not frozen, shovelling their driveway and walkways, and cleaning up snow and dirt that gets tracked inside the home. The longer seniors are working outside in the cold or cleaning indoors, the greater their chances are of getting sick or injured.
Social Isolation from Long Indoor Stays
Living alone during the winter can be very dreary and dull. If your elderly loved one is cooped up inside, it is probably difficult for them to keep engaged with their friends and loved ones. Boredom and even depression can result from long winters indoors. Moving into a retirement living community may be the best option for your loved one. There are many benefits to moving into these environments that can keep your loved one happy and healthy.
Benefits of Retirement Living during the Winter
Fine Dining without the Hassle of Preparation and Cooking
The benefit of senior living communities is that residents can enjoy a variety of tasty and nutritious meal options every day. Your loved one can savour restaurant-style meals regularly, prepared by Red Seal-certified chefs, that make them excited about food when they may otherwise lose their interest with the burden of cooking on their own. However, residents who enjoy cooking can do so in the comfort of an available gourmet kitchen and enjoy cooking classes, so they can learn new recipes.
Lots of Interesting Activities
For seniors who enjoy entertainment, there are many opportunities to go to local restaurants, theatres, museums, and other attractions in the area, with transportation included. Community Members can invite their family and friends to join them and continue to make treasured memories with neighbours.
Benefits of Companionship
At an assisted living residence, your aging loved one will have access to endless opportunities to enjoy time with others. These include book clubs, events discussions, swimming classes, and more. There are also holiday-themed parties and evening social hours, so there are always opportunities to build new friendships and enjoy companionship.
Personalized Transportation
Aside from mobility challenges that come with aging, colder temperatures and low visibility in snow can make getting around quite risky. Even if your aging loved one is an experienced driver, poor weather conditions can make it difficult for them. When your loved one moves into a retirement community, they can access transportation services when they need to go to a doctor’s appointment, or grocery store. The drivers for these services are experienced, professional, and compassionate to support your loved one and ensure that they enjoy special excursions.
On-Site Amenities and Services
One of the hassles that comes during the winter is trying to get errands done in a timely manner. Winter brings shorter daylight hours and unsafe travel conditions. The benefit of moving into a senior living community before winter is that your loved one can access on-site amenities and services such as salon and barbering, massage therapy, foot care, family doctor appointments, and more.
Enjoy These Benefits and More at V!VA
At V!VA Retirement Communities, we strive to create a social community where our Community Members can thrive in a safe, trustworthy environment, and build meaningful friendships. Our Team Members care about our Community Members and as they perform their unique roles, they abide by our Orange Dot Values to make sure everyone feels welcome, safe, and cared for. To learn more about our retirement living options and to find out if V!VA Retirement Communities is right for you or your loved one, email us atinfo@vivalife.ca or call us at 1-888-984-8482.
