“Summertime, and the Living is Easy” may be a familiar old song, but as we approach another sizzling summer in Central Florida, it might be worthwhile to think about the “what if” situations that bubble up like a Florida thunderstorm.
When the weather is hot, hot, hot, we may feel weak, tired, and grumpy. We may lose our appetite, have trouble sleeping, have no energy to do household chores, or even cook. The neighbors and friends we counted on are not here to help. Our support groups have taken a break over the summer, so we may feel isolated. The atmosphere is thick with daily rainstorms, and wicked weather warnings to top it all off.
Visiting Angels can help support you or your loved one with temporary or ongoing support in your own home, in rehab, or wherever you call home. Do you have a loved one visiting with you this summer that may need extra assistance? Or maybe you are visiting a family member, and you are witnessing some mobility or health changes?
Here are some key indicators that someone may benefit from Home Care:
- Weakness or Balance issues leading to falls with or without injury.
- Repeated visits to the ER or Urgent Care, Lift-Assist calls, or repeated hospital stays.
- Feeling isolated, lack of socialization, mood changes like anxiety or depression.
- Lack of personal hygiene, i.e. showers, washing hair, shaving, wearing clean clothing.
- Needing Transportation to doctor appointments, PT, errands.
- Weight Loss, or loss of appetite, needing meals prepped and ready.
- Basic household tasks like taking out the trash, laundry, changing linens.
- Help with dressing, bathing, using the bathroom, and managing medications.
Whether this is your first summer staying in Central Florida, or you have been here for years, preparing for severe weather is crucial. Many people choose to stay in their homes during storms. But what if you or a loved one has a medical condition, has had recent surgery, needs medical equipment, or you are just not in a situation where being alone during an intense storm is a good idea?
Creating a plan and communicating that plan to your friends and family, even your healthcare providers, is important. With safety and support in mind, there can be a lot to consider, but keep it simple, workable, and appropriate for everyone involved.
To help you prepare for severe weather (think High winds, rain, loss of electricity), there are a few things you can do ahead of time to get ready to help keep your stress level from hitting a crisis point:
- Get a full tank of gas and some cash on hand, just in case.
- Secure items around your home, trim tree limbs, and turn off sprinklers.
- Charge up any portable batteries for your phone and weather radio.
- Organize flashlights, extra batteries, battery operated fan, candles, and matches.
- Food and water: 3 days of drinkable water and non-perishable food for your family and any pets. This includes medications or pain relievers.
- Contact your pharmacy and request extra medication in advance of the storm. This includes equipment like oxygen, briefs, wound supplies, etc.
- First Aid kit and hand sanitizer, manual can opener, paper towels
- Paper plates, utensils, scissors, cutting board, knife, dishwashing supplies, trash bags, soap, bug spray.
- Fill the bathtub with water, add a big cup so you can flush the toilet. • Have a cooler handy if the electricity goes out.
- Change of clothing for each member of your household, and pet leashes, bowls. • Place important documents in a waterproof container for safekeeping.
Visiting Angels Home Care is a part of your community. We are your neighbors and we can help you during challenging times. We are here for our clients in so many ways: to help create a plan, gather supplies, and we can be there to help when you need us before, during and after the stormy times in your life.
It all starts with a conversation. Call our team at 352-643-0702 to see how we can help you remain safe at home, even during the stormy parts of life.
We are just a phone call away! Give us a call at 352-643-0702.
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