The cost of electricity is on the rise. For seniors living on fixed incomes, keeping up with these costs can be difficult. Luckily, there are some changes your elderly loved one can make around the house to reduce the amount of energy he or she uses.
1. Replace Old Appliances
Many seniors have refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers in their homes that date as far back as the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. These appliances use more energy than the Energy Star-rated ones on the market today. Though spending hundreds on new appliances may seem extreme, they can end up paying for themselves within a few years as they lower the costs of your loved one’s monthly electricity bills.
Saving money isn’t the only concern for aging adults as they get older. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior care. Carmichael, CA, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Keep an Eye on the Thermostat
Seniors tend to get a little colder in the winter, but a change of a degree or two on the thermostat might not make much of a difference. Wearing comfortable warm clothing, such as sweaters, thick socks, and leggings or long underwear, or throwing an extra blanket on the bed could also help your loved one adjust to the change in temperature. Seniors should turn the thermostat down before they go to sleep. With flannel sheets and warm blankets, they’re unlikely to notice if the house is a few degrees cooler at night. Keeping windows clean and uncovered during the day to allow natural sunlight inside can help as well.
If cold air is seeping into the home during the winter, it might be due to poor insulation. Seniors and their caregivers should look for the source of the cold air. Drafts are usually caused by poorly insulated windows, chimneys, unfinished spaces, and attics. There are DIY solutions to fix insulation issues, such as clear plastic insulation sheeting, weatherstripping, and caulk around doors and windows.
3. Stop Using the Dishwasher
Seniors who live alone probably don’t use as many dishes as they did when they were taking care of their families. Instead of using the dishwasher to wash and dry the dishes, encourage your loved one to try washing and drying them by hand each day.
In addition to managing their finances, older adults may also require assistance with basic everyday activities. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Carmichael seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
4. Hang Clothes to Dry
A dryer uses a great deal of energy, but the old-fashioned way of hanging clothes on the line is free. It may even bring back a bit of nostalgia for your loved one. He or she can also save money on dryer sheets, and some clothes and linens even last longer when they aren’t dried in a dryer.
5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Take some time to help your loved one switch out the bulbs in lamps and fixtures around the home. Energy-efficient light bulbs use less electricity, and your loved one won’t have to change them very often. This switch reduces the risk of your loved one injuring him or herself on broken glass or trying to change a hard-to-reach light.
Reducing energy costs is one of the many ways older adults can get some peace of mind and enjoy a high quality of life. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them obtain this goal. Families can trust homecare experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living a longer and healthier life. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (916) 485-4663.