Winter Wellness Tips for Older Adults

For this month, we will discuss tips on how older adults can stay well during the winter months.

There are many ways to give your health the upper hand, including staying hydrated, keeping up to date on your vaccinations / health screenings, staying physically active, washing your hands, and staying connected socially to your loved ones.

As mentioned, staying hydrated is vital during the winter months. Many people have the misconception that you don’t need to drink as much fluid when it is cold outside. However, staying hydrated is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer! Cold air has the ability of drying your skin and your respiratory system, and when combined with the indoor heating we all love, you could experience the effects of dehydration in a short period of time. One tip to help with drinking water is to keep a bottle with you throughout the day and routinely take small sips to help be more consistent. Another way to increase your fluid level is to enjoy warm liquids! You can consume hot tea, warm broths, or perhaps warm water with lemon (keep the hot chocolate to a minimum). These will all contribute to your fluid levels and help you stay hydrated!

Hand washing is another obvious, yet important way, of staying healthy this winter. As many of you know, older adults are more susceptible to illness such as a common cold, the flu, and many other types of infections. Basic precautions include washing your hands before eating a meal or if you have been out and touching a lot of public surfaces. Keeping a hand sanitizer with you is similarly not a bad idea, especially in the case that hand washing is not an option. Speaking of infections and viruses, it is crucial that you stay up to date with your seasonal vaccines and attend your regular health screenings.

Lastly, staying active during the winter months can make a world of difference on one’s overall health. Due to the cold weather, you may feel enticed to sit around much more than usual, which is completely normal. However, it may be in your best interest to keep moving! Physical activity can help improve cardiovascular function and strengthen muscles, which in turn can help prevent falls. Exercise can also help reduce the effects of seasonal depression and even arthritis, something that many individuals experience a flare up with during the winter months. 

Although this season of winter can be beautiful, it is also a time that older adults find themselves the most susceptible. That is why it is ever so important to ensure you are taking the steps to take proper care of yourself. If you find yourself having any questions on how the Wellness Program can help, please reach out to me!

 

Nick Neuman

Friends Fellowship Community Exercise Specialist