10 things every carer should think about before the cold weather arrives
Now autumn is here, it’s a good time to get ahead with a little preparation for the colder weather.
Getting organised can help you feel more confident about the months ahead. Here are 10 things worth thinking about before the cold weather arrives.
1. Check medication supplies
Take a look at the medication the person you care for regularly needs and make sure you know when prescriptions are due.
Cold weather, illness and busy periods can sometimes make collecting prescriptions more difficult, so it’s useful to plan ahead. If you have any questions about medication or how much you should have available, speak to the person’s pharmacist, GP or healthcare team.
2. Make sure your heating is ready for winter
You don’t want to discover a problem with the heating on the first really cold night of the year.
Before temperatures fall, check that your heating is working properly and book in a boiler service. If the person you care for has a boiler, it can also be helpful to know who to contact if it stops working. Keep the number of the energy supplier, landlord, housing provider or a trusted heating engineer somewhere easy to find.
3. Keep important contact details together
In an emergency, you don’t want to spend valuable time searching through your phone, paperwork or old messages for the right number.
Create a list of important contacts, including family members, neighbours, the GP, pharmacy, care provider and any other services the person you care for relies on. Keep a paper copy somewhere obvious as well as storing the details on your phone. Make sure another trusted person knows where the list is kept.
4. Stock up on essentials
You don’t need to stockpile, but having a small supply of essentials can be very useful. Think about the things the person you care for would struggle without. This might include tinned food, toiletries, toiletries, pet supplies or other everyday care essentials. A torch and spare batteries are also useful to have somewhere accessible in case of a power cut.
5. Check warm clothing and bedding
Make sure the person you care for has warm, comfortable clothing that is easy for them to use.
Layers can be particularly useful, as they can be added or removed depending on the temperature.
Watch where electric blankets and heat pads are stored because after months folded away, cables or heating elements may have become damaged. Check them before the first cold night rather than discovering a problem at bedtime, and follow the manufacturer’s inspection/replacement guidance.
6. Think about seasonal illnesses
Coughs, colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses become more common during the colder months, and some people are more vulnerable to becoming seriously unwell.
Did you know carers in the UK are entitled to a free flu vaccine if they receive Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if the carer fell ill.
7. Check alarms and emergency equipment
If the person you care for uses a personal alarm, telecare device, mobility equipment or other essential equipment, check that it is working properly. Replace batteries where necessary and make sure you know what to do if something stops working.
It’s also worth checking smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and ensuring exits and important equipment aren’t blocked by additional winter belongings, heaters or blankets.
8. Preventing winter isolation
We understand carers can often feel isolated because of their role. It’s important to have someone to talk to and to have the opportunity to relax and take a break from caring. At North Tyneside Carers’ Centre we have regular support groups and social activities for unpaid carers. They are a chance to talk to others who understand what you are going through, exchange practical advice and information, get emotional support and relax and enjoy taking some time out. To find out more visit our website.
9. Prepare for condensation and damp
Oh how we miss the good drying weather! Keeping windows shut and drying clothes indoors can quickly increase moisture. Look behind furniture and around windows for early mould, think about ventilation, and avoid placing furniture tightly against cold external walls.
10. Make a plan for yourself
When you’re focused on somebody else’s needs, it’s easy to overlook your own. Think about what would happen if you became ill, couldn’t travel because of bad weather or were unexpectedly unable to provide care. Writing down the essentials and sharing them with someone you trust can make an unexpected situation much easier to manage. Also, think about the support you might need. Get in touch with us if you would like to chat through any challenges you are facing.
Start with one or two things from this list today. By the time the colder weather arrives, you’ll already be better prepared for whatever winter brings.