Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)

Prevent potential autumn problems for seniors

- By Samantha Gordon Promoting Senior Wellness is provided by The Hickman, a Quakeraffi­liated licensed personal care home in West Chester. Samantha Gordon is the communicat­ions and outreach manager. She can be reached at sgordon@thehickman.org or www.thehic

The fall season is officially upon us, and that means cooler weather, falling leaves and potential safety hazards for older adults.

Keeping an autumn checklist to stay ahead of the changing weather can prevent potential problems. Consider the following as the autumn season approaches:

Shorter days

While fall time can look beautiful, the days start to become shorter and shorter, which means it gets darker earlier in the day.

It’s important to keep this in mind when driving or going out of the house, especially if driving at night is not something you feel comfortabl­e doing.

Falling leaves

The wind is blowing the cool, crisp air, and it looks picture perfect. But falling

leaves can become a hazard if not kept up with.

Gutters, walkways, sidewalks and roads can become

clogged or covered and pose a risk especially if they are wet.

Raking leaves or having help raking leaves and maintainin­g gutters can create a clean yard and prevent a hazard from occurring.

Flu shot

Don’t forget flu season is upon us, and that means getting updated on our annual flu vaccinatio­ns. Check-in with your doctor on how and when you can get the flu shot.

Stock up

With cooler weather, shorter days and hurricane season coming to an end while the winter season approaches, it’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected.

Stock up on batteries for flashlight­s, light bulbs, and warm clothes as the temperatur­e begins to drop over the next few months.

Autumn is a wonderful time of year. It’s filled with delicious food and meals prepared around the holidays and time with friends and family. Many of us cannot wait to decorate and eat all the candy in the world, but it’s important to keep in mind the changing seasons and what that means for ourselves and for our home.

Keeping up or staying ahead of the fall season allows us to enjoy it more and get ready for the next season to come.

 ?? PIXNIO ?? Falling leaves can become a hazard, especially if they are wet on roadways.
PIXNIO Falling leaves can become a hazard, especially if they are wet on roadways.

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