In-home companions help Bradenton seniors maintain mobility, mental engagement, and warmth during Florida’s cooler days.
We certainly aren’t known for our cooler weather here on Florida’s Suncoast, but this is the time of year when temperatures can actually dip into the 40s and even below. And just as in any Northern city, cold weather comes with its risks, especially for our more vulnerable populations like seniors.
In fact, the surprise nature of our cold weather is part of what makes it dangerous: When we don’t expect it, we’re less prepared.
Beyond the most serious risks, seniors are also at risk of becoming shut in during the winter months. Too much time indoors can be detrimental to people’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
That’s why, as professional home companions in Bradenton, we take special care this time of year to help our clients prepare for the cold, and to keep them engaged and active with a whole assortment of indoor activities.
Staying Warm (and Safe) in Florida Winter
Job one for home companions this time of year is to ensure that our clients have the means to stay warm while also staying safe. This preparedness takes many forms:
- Helping to access winter clothing, especially items that may be stored away in heavy boxes and/or hard-to-reach places.
- Likewise making sure bedding is suitable for cooler overnight temps.
- Checking that central heating and/or space heaters are functioning safely.
- Confirming that doors and windows close properly.
And because we make regular visits, we’re able to keep clients informed about upcoming weather patterns. We certainly don’t want anyone caught unawares by a cold snap.
Staying Active Indoors
Physical activity is vital for overall health, and thus a big part of what we do. Some seniors have developed good habits for mental engagement (reading, writing letters, doing crosswords) but lose the motivation to stay active. In colder weather, motivation wanes further for folks who normally enjoy outdoor activities like walks or gardening.
It’s obvious enough then that seniors should have ways to stay active indoors. But coming up with a selection of safe, engaging indoor activities is a whole other challenge. As home companions, we come prepared with a whole arsenal fun ways to get the body in motion. Think balloon volleyball, chair yoga (or dancing!), or even indoor walks.
It’s more than just recommending these activities to seniors; we’re there in person to add a fun, social element that makes movement that much more meaningful.
Staying Mentally Engaged
For seniors who are used to getting outside and enjoying Florida’s milder climate, cold-weather days don’t just limit physical activity; they remove an important aspect of mental engagement that comes from a change in scenery.
When that change isn’t possible, we have to make sure that the alternative isn’t just to sit down in front of the TV for 12 hours a day.
Just as professional home companions come prepared with physical activities, we also offer a range of mental engagement—on top of just being there as another person to talk to. Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, cards, board games, arts and crafts, cooking, or even exploring places and history via the internet all make for fun ways to keep the mind sharp and engaged in the world around us.
The Value of Home Companionship in Florida Winter
Being a home companion isn’t a black-and-white job. So much of what we do means adapting—not only to our clients’ own needs and desires, but to what’s happening in the world around them.
When cold weather hits in Florida, the game changes. But with in-home companions, we come loaded with a whole other set of games to keep things healthy and fresh.