As the seasons change, the nights get longer and the weather gets colder. This can affect the elderly more than others. Darker evenings could mean that they feel less safe at home and with the temperature dropping, they can find it difficult to keep warm.
Thankfully, there are things that we can all do to help them, using both old methods and incorporating technology into solutions too. Here are our top tips on keeping your elderly loved ones safe, secure and warm this winter.
Safety and security
As we said at the beginning, with it staying darker for longer over winter, older people may feel more vulnerable in their homes. Regular visits from family and friends can help ward off these feelings. As can conventional solutions such as installing a chain on the front door, but technology can also be helpful.
Use a smart speaker to feel safe
Many of us now have these handy devices in our homes to help with daily tasks like turning lights on and off and playing our favourite playlist. For the elderly, they can help them feel safer at home.

The smart speaker itself can be used to play music to provide background music. This can help people feel less alone and safer, especially when the nights draw in. If the lights are also controlled through the speaker, did you know you can set up schedules for the lights to turn on and off automatically?
This is usually done through the WiFi lights’ app and can help to keep living areas well lit when the sun goes down. Softening the transition between daytime and nighttime, helping the elderly feel more secure.
Smart speakers can also be used to set reminders, which can be very helpful for deliveries and regular visitors.
Keeping warm
One of the biggest challenges with winter is making sure that elderly loved ones are warm enough. The elderly can find it difficult to regulate their body temperature and it can be more difficult in Winter. Here’s a few things you can do to help.
Make sure they’re wearing thin layers
You may be tempted to make sure your loved one has lots of thick jumpers and thermals, but multiple thin layers will be warmer. This is because the thin layers trap the air in-between them better, which keeps the heat in as the layers act as an insulator.
It’s also easier to remove a layer or two should they become too hot, rather than having to get completely changed again. This works in the opposite way too – if they become too cold, they can simply add more layers.
Add thermal insoles to shoes
Having cold feet often makes the rest of your body cold because when your feet are warm, the blood vessels open up. This allows for better blood flow throughout the rest of your body.
Making sure your loved ones feet are warm will help them stay warm over all. Thermal insoles, such as those made from lambswool are a great way to do this – along with multiple pairs of socks of course.
Drinking hot drinks
The great thing about hot drinks is they help keep people hydrated as well as warm. Due to them being hot, people often choose to sip them rather than drink them quickly. Which also aids hydration. To save having to repeatedly boil a kettle, you could keep a flask on the go, which will facilitate even greater hydration as well as save a bit of money on the electricity bill.

We’ve nearly always got a hot pot of tea on the go here, although there are so many other options. Including hot chocolate and other teas; maybe something fruity or a classic Earl Grey.
Making sure your elderly loved ones keep safe and warm over winter is important and there’s lots of support available should you find yourself struggling. Age UK has a great guide on its website which gives top tips and ideas.
We also have a Dementia Hub in Worthing which can offer advice and support. It also runs drop in sessions for a warm place to go and a cup of tea.