Has your elderly loved one talked about spending the winters in a place that has a more temperate climate during those frozen months that seem to permeate the upper part of the country? If he has, he’s not alone. Lots of seniors like to act like birds and move south for the winter. So many do that the term “snowbird” has become a common word to describe those seniors who pack up some belongings and move to the southern part of the country each year. Snowbird services providers can help with such a transition to make it easier for your loved one.
Five Health Reasons Your Loved One Might Consider Being a Snowbird
While warm air and sunshine are reasons enough for your senior to want to move south for the winter, some medical conditions can be improved by warmer air and longer days.
- It can reduce the risk of heart attack. Cold air and exertion can increase the risk of heart attack for those with heart problems so it makes sense that getting out of the cold air can help reduce the risk.
- It can alleviate seasonal depression symptoms. For many, long, cold, dark winter months can affect their mood, making it difficult to find joy and experience happiness. Oftentimes, even when it’s sunny in the northern states, it’s too cold to go out.
- It can make driving easier. If your loved one is still driving but is uncomfortable with icy roads, giant snowplows passing him by, or darker days, the clean streets of the South can make driving easier and safer.
- It can improve skin conditions. Overly heated homes and dry winter air can crack and damage sensitive skin.
- It can help reduce arthritis pain. The cold can make joints hurt more than normal.
But is moving south for a few months the right choice for your senior?
As a family member, it might seem scary to think about your elderly loved one moving down into a part of the country where he doesn’t have any connections. You wonder who will help him carry his groceries up the stairs because he has a bad knee. Or maybe you’re concerned that he won’t take his blood pressure medication like he should if you’re not there to remind him.
Finally, you are worried that he’ll be lonely and not have the companionship that he has at home with his neighbors, family, and friends.
Snowbird Services That Can Help
Those who live in areas of the south that are familiar with snowbirds coming down each year have often developed snowbird services in the community to help your loved one adapt to his new temporary home and thrive in this new location even if he doesn’t have family nearby.
Some snowbird services your loved one may take advantage of could include:
Daily Living Help. If your loved one needs help with some of his personal grooming needs or needs assistance with performing certain homecare tasks, a snowbird services agency can make sure he gets the reliable help he needs to maintain his independence.
Transporation. If your loved one needs help getting to and from places, snowbird services providers can make sure he can safely get to where he needs to go and back home again.
Meal Preparation. If your loved one needs help with meals, snowbird services teams can help him with tasks from shopping to preparing his meals.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Snowbird Services in Schnecksville PA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Extended Family Care Allentown today. Call 610-432-6766
Extended Family Care Allentown is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania, including Bethlehem, Easton, Emmaus, Macungie, Whitehall, Schnecksville, Catasauqua, Northampton, and Nazareth.
