Next Stage Senior Care Services

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WINTER DEHYDRATION: Winter is the season of icy road conditions, back pain from too much shoveling and the dreaded flu, but did you know dehydration happens just as easily in winter as in the heat of summer? As you move about in the cold, you may not be sweating, but water is still being lost through your breath (in the form of vapors - streaming from your mouth in frigid temperatures.) Winter can also accelerate dehydration because we have a survival mechanism that constric...ts blood vessels in cold weather, to conserve heat and maintain body temperature. Blood vessels shrinking increases blood pressure. To lower the pressure, our kidneys make more urine, meaning less blood to fill veins and arteries, more frequent trips to the bathroom and greater risk of dehydration. Winter Dehydration is hard on our health and our weight. Winter or summer, dehydration can cause exhaustion, muscle fatigue, cramps, loss of coordination and even a stroke. When dehydrated, we can also become more susceptible to winter colds and flu. Not drinking enough water can also make it harder to keep extra pounds off during the shorter days when we tend to exercise less and eat more. When hydrated, our body is better able to break down fat for energy, our appetite is better controlled (it’s important to note that we often think we are hungry when we are really just thirsty). Also, if our body doesn’t get adequate water it holds the water it already has, so sufficient hydration is key to avoiding fluid retention. Hot or Cold, Drink More Water Throughout the Winter: As you know, being thirsty is a signal that our body is already on its way to becoming dehydrated. Another indication that we should be hitting your water bottle more heavily is urine that is not clear or light-colored. Balance out diuretics with water in take. Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics (they cause more water loss through urine)so when having either, have extra water to balance the dehydrating effect. Try drinking decaffeinated coffee or tea as well. Water-based foods count too! Fruits and vegetables are a natural source of water, along with valuable vitamins and minerals. Soups too, of course! Cut back on sodium-- salty foods can make you excessively thirsty and can also lead to bloating. Drink before, during and after exercise. This is harder because when it’s cold outside we may not sweat much or feel too thirsty. But it’s necessary! This winter, keep the water flowing for best health.

WINTER ACCIDENTS: Adults 65 and older are involved in more car accidents per mile driven than those in nearly all other age groups. Because winter driving can be more hazardous you should: Have your Car 'Winterized' before the bad weather hits. This means having the antifreeze, tires, and windshield wipers checked and changed if necessary. Make sure you take a Cell Phone with you when driving in bad weather. Always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to ar...rive, so they can call for help if you’re late. Do Not Drive on Icy Roads, overpasses, or bridges if at possible consider another route. Stock your Car With Basic Emergency Supplies, such as: a first aid kit blankets booster cables a windshield scraper a shovel rock salt, a bag of sand or cat litter (to pour on ice or snow in case your wheels get stuck) a container of water and canned or dried foods and can opener a flashlight See more

We know today many people are having a snow day, but here at Next Stage Senior Care our offices are open and it's business as usual. Stay Warm! Stay Safe!!

Shoveling Safety Tips: When it’s cold, your heart works extra hard to keep you warm. Many people have heard the dangers of shoveling snow and heart attacks. While heart attacks may be the most serious consequence of shoveling snow, there are other even more common health risks including dehydration, back injuries, pulled muscles, broken bones and frostbite. According to the American Heart Association for most people shoveling snow may not lead to any health problems. However...Continue reading