How Seniors can Prepare for the Warmer Weather

Good news! Winter is almost over, and the weather is starting to warm up, so we can all start defrosting from the cold. However, that also means it is time to start preparing for summer so that you’re ready when the heat arrives. At Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne we understand how important it is to be prepared as the weather changes, that’s why we’ve put together our top eight tips for helping seniors get ready for the warmer months.

Sort Your Wardrobe.

This is the ideal time to go through your wardrobe. Get out your summer clothes and make sure you have everything you need. If you’re missing any items, consider shopping for them either online or by visiting the shops. You may also want to pack away your winter clothes but before you do, consider sorting through them and throw out anything that is worn out. If some items are still in good condition but no longer needed, consider donating them to local charities or op shops.

Check Your Air Conditioner.

Turn on your air conditioner and any fans you use before the first heat wave and check that they are working. Sometimes, after long periods of not being used, they may need repairs. By checking now, you can get them fixed before it gets too hot.

Think About Your Food and Water Intake

In summer, it’s essential to stay hydrated, so start increasing your fluid intake now to build the habit early. Hot weather can also make heavy meals less appealing, so being thinking about lighter meal options when you go shopping for ease and convenience.

Get Your Garden Ready

If you have a garden, now is a good time to get it under control – or arrange for someone else to do it. Getting the garden under control now will make it more accessible during the warmer weather when it is tricky to be outside. Tidying up your garden now will also make it easier to maintain during Summer when it’s too hot to be outdoors for long. If you need to water your garden, this is also a good opportunity to check that your hoses or sprinkler systems are still working, especially if they haven’t been used since last summer.

Get the Gutters Cleaned Out

In many parts of Australia, summer also includes storms. Clearing out your gutters can help protect your home in case of heavy rain. If you plan to climb ladders, make sure you can do so safely, and never do this alone at home.

Get Bushfire Ready

Summer is also a time for bushfires. Now is an excellent time to revisit your bushfire plan – this should be done every year because things can change, and it’s important to know exactly what to do in an emergency without hesitation. Even if you do not live in a high-risk area for bushfires, you should still have an emergency plan. Check out the CFA Victoria bushfire plan at: Your Bushfire Plan | CFA (Country Fire Authority) for templates and guidelines. The CFA website offers a wealth of relevant information from planning and warnings to educational resources. Ensure your important documents like insurance papers and more, are also stored electronically so they are accessible from anywhere, in the worst case scenario that they are damaged in a fire event. Also, keep a supply of all the medications you take where you can grab them easily in an emergency, along with anything else you may need.

Make Those Appointments You Have Been Putting Off

Now is a great time to make those appointments you have been putting off over winter, due to the cold, before it gets hot. This might be your GP, dentist, audiologist, optometrist, or anything relevant. Getting these down now means they are out of the way before the risk of scorching days hits.

Prepare your pets for summer

While preparing ourselves and our homes for hot weather, it is also essential to prepare your pets. Do they need a clip before summer? Do they have access to a suitable water container? Do they have access to shelter to stay out of the sun on hot days? Do you need to make plans for them for sweltering days, such as bringing them inside – this can be done by clearing a space in the bathroom or laundry or segregating an area for them if you do not want them having the run of the whole house.

The warmer weather is on its way, and now is the time to prepare before the heat makes these tasks more difficult. Remember, if you have home care provided by a Care Professional, they can help you with many of these tasks or help you arrange for someone to do them where appropriate.

Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne, can bring enormous benefits and comfort to your quality of life while living independently. Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne has viable solutions for supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with us today.