The Advantages of a Winter Move To Senior Living

Spring and fall may be popular times to plan a senior living move, but for many older adults, a winter move can offer surprising benefits. The winter season, known for colder temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and more time spent indoors, can bring unexpected weather to even the mildest climates—not to mention a host of adverse effects on a senior’s health and well-being.

If you or a senior loved one is considering independent living, assisted living, or a memory care option, moving to a community during the winter months can be advantageous. Winter can bring the potential for reduced rates from moving and storage companies, greater flexibility when scheduling your move, and a network of support for a senior’s increased care needs. Read on to learn more about why you or your senior loved one may want to warm up to a senior living move this winter.

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• Moving in the winter can promote greater physical health.
• A winter move can safeguard seniors’ mental and emotional health.
• Senior living community benefits help seniors and caregivers face winter hazards with greater peace of mind.
   

A Winter Move Promotes Physical and Mental Health

It’s no surprise that seniors are at increased risk of a range of health issues in the colder months. Everything from flu season to the “winter blues” to an increased chance of falls can wreak havoc on your nerves and make it feel like the season is out to get your senior loved one. Moving into a senior living community in the winter can help reduce these concerns and ease your mind.
 

Physical health benefits of a winter move - Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults over 65. While some areas, such as parts of Texas and the Southeast, rarely see measurable ice or snow, winter freezes have become more common in recent years. The winter months also tend to coincide with the rainy season in milder climates, increasing the risk of slippery floors and slick sidewalks regardless of the temperature.

Senior living communities actively strive to keep walkways safe for their residents, regardless of whether these walkways are indoors or outdoors. The fear of falling may deter seniors from venturing outside their home in the winter, reducing their physical activity and often isolating them from their social circles. Senior living communities not only provide a readily available community of peers but may also offer physical fitness programs that seniors can access safely. These programs can even help seniors build strength and balance, reducing the risk of future slips and falls.

Mental and emotional health benefits of a winter move - In addition to the physical health benefits, a winter move to a senior living community can bring mental and emotional health benefits. Senior mental health is often an underdiscussed topic, and seniors can be particularly susceptible to the “winter blues,” especially if they live alone. Seasonal depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can take hold of seniors who have a vitamin D deficiency, receive too little sunlight, or struggle with depression or bipolar disorder — or even seniors who don’t.

While senior living communities can’t lengthen the daylight hours during the winter months, they can provide extra support and care for seniors who need it. SAD and similar conditions can cause low energy, oversleeping, overeating, difficulties with concentration, feelings of hopelessness and sadness, and even suicidal thoughts and actions.

Senior living communities provide seniors with numerous opportunities to socialize, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Trained medical staff, whether on-site or in partnership with the senior living community, can spot vitamin deficiencies and any chemical or hormonal imbalances. Evening events and activities can make the days feel a bit longer and give seniors something to look forward to after the sun sets.

Winter Hazards & Senior Living Community Benefits

Winter weather can bring more than its fair share of hazards, and in the worst-case scenarios, cut seniors off from basic necessities like food, water, medicine, and access to health services. Seniors who don’t drive or who struggle to drive in poor weather conditions can find it suddenly impossible for them to reach crucial places like grocery stores or healthcare facilities, even if the forecast didn’t seem threatening.

Daily meals. Moving into senior living in the winter, especially early in the season, eliminates the struggle before it even begins, starting with a full menu of healthy, delicious meals provided daily. Residents can find comfort during the winter months with options that nurture their bodies and souls, while enjoying frequent opportunities for social connection around the table.

Winter wellness. When winter illness surfaces or medication is needed, oversight from a community’s wellness team or other on-site partners can relieve stress and worry for residents and their caregivers. Guidance for recovery, safety checks, and supportive care services can be coordinated quickly and from the comfort of home.

Transportation. Most senior living communities also offer transportation services for seniors who are unable to drive safely to their destination or who feel uncomfortable in less-than-ideal road conditions. This relieves anxiety while still promoting a senior’s independence.

Cognitive support. The darker days of winter, combined with declines in physical activity, social interaction, and other essential habits, can affect an older adult’s cognitive health, leading to inconsistent routines, forgetfulness, and even memory loss. An assisted living or memory care setting can provide daily engagement and interaction with staff and residents to help keep the mind and body sharp through winter’s lull.

Community response. When a loved one resides in a senior living community, you don’t have to worry about whether they remembered to turn up their heat or wonder whether a kind neighbor will shovel their sidewalk for them. In the event of a storm or an unexpected power outage, community staff manage and resolve residents' and their families' concerns.

A Winter Move is a Winning Move

A winter move into senior living can be an ideal option for seniors who don’t want to navigate the stress, health and safety concerns, and cold-weather maintenance that winter can bring. If you don’t feel ready to commit to a full move, some communities offer short-stay options for the winter months and other stormy seasons.

With this support in place, older adults and their family members can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they have a safety net should they need it. To learn more about assisted living or memory caresupport at any of our Central Texas senior living communities, contact a member of our Stoney Brook team today. Subscribe to our blog for more helpful resources for seniors and caregivers.