Winter Tips for Home Care Providers & Patients

We know our patients are relying on our help as they recover, rehabilitate, learn new skills, and work to reduce pain.

 Snowstorms, icy roads, and inclement weather can make traveling to visit patients during cold months difficult. As a caregiver we don't want to leave underprepared! Has inclement weather been known to stop us? Not if we can help it! We make every best effort to arrive on time and safe. Mother nature can provide barriers, but we can work to alleviate those frustrations if prepared.

Preparing ahead can make a world of difference! We’ve compiled an easy winter checklist of top-of-mind items from our staff and caregivers.

Before leaving to visit a patient's home:

  • Do a weather assessment. Check the weather conditions on the news or phone.
  • Do a once over on your car to check for ample fuel, tire pressure, proper lighting, and function of windshield wipers. It is important to make sure your wipes and windshield are free of snow and ice before heading out.
  • Check-in to ensure others know where you are headed! Using the PaSeva app or other communication system and entering your destination, route, and estimated time of arrival, not only helps log your mileage and drive time, but keeps you safe since others are aware of your travels. Put your destination into your GPS before you leave, even if you are familiar with the area. It will offer detours in the event of road closures, accidents, or traffic. (Check our internal communication board, staff often share these road closures and barriers internally!)
  • Pack an emergency kit in your car. These items can include:
    • Extra warm clothes
    • Blanket
    • Extra food and water
    • Phone charger
    • First aide kit
    • Glass scraper, shovel, and/or brush
    • Extra warm gloves
  • Ice can be transparent and dangerous. Look for signs like ice forming on your mirrors or upper corners of your windshield.
  • Provide ample time to travel and slow down when necessary. Bridges, tunnels, and curves in roads like exits can get icy.

How can we help our patients during the winter months too?

  • Remind our older adults of the risk of flu complications and the importance of hand washing, hand sanitizing, and flu shots.
  • In the winter months it can be hard for our patients to get enough exercise. Leave them with tips for while you’re away as well for simple exercises.
  • Minimize slips and falls in wintry months by sharing fall prevention safety with patients.
  • Make sure patients have proper attire for the cold weather such as coats, gloves, hats, and scarves. Reach out to social services/patient advocate and request assistance if needed in allocating items.
  • Button hooks and sock aides can ensure that patients are properly dressed and prepared to put on the right attire.

Before home healthcare staff leave a patient’s home, don’t forget to do the same kind of assessment of your own vehicle and surroundings just as you did before you left for the visit.

By following these easy winter tips, you can help ensure you and your patients are safe this winter!

Have more tips to offer? We would love to hear them. This is not a comprehensive list but just the tip of the iceberg.

Get In-Home Support

Whether you need skilled nursing care, therapy services, or in-home caregiver services for a loved one, Home Care Providers - Nightingale Home Health, Nightingale Visiting Nurse, and Aspire Home Health - can help. We give you the support you need to provide the best care for your loved one. Request a personalized quote from your local Home Care Provider organization.


Home Care Providers provides personalized, high-quality care with the most innovative technology allowing physicians, families, and care teams to stay connect compliance by documenting and communicating within a secure portal. We want our patients, families, physicians, hospitals, and any facility we coordinate care with to experience THE BEST services possible!    

 

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