Bundle up because it’s getting chilly!

While we’re pretty lucky to have a warmer winter than most here in Pharr, Texas, it’s still good to make sure you’re taking the right precautions to prepare for the colder months. Taking precautions can mean many things like preparing your space to embrace the cold, and also cleaning to make things a little more aesthetically cozy. We’re diving into 5 ways you can help your loved one prepare for cooler weather at The Gardens at Brook Ridge memory care community.

Get cozy!

If your loved one has a seasonal wardrobe, be sure to take the time to swap their summer and fall clothes out for their winter clothes. Making this swap keeps things organized and ensures that they have everything they need easily accessible to them or for our highly trained staff to assist them with. It’s also a good idea to make sure your loved one has other cozy items ready for use like slippers, fuzzy blankets, and a good jacket.

Keep sick-day supplies handy

With the cooler months comes the cold and flu season! With that in mind, it’s a good idea to make sure your loved one is stocked up on cold and flu medicine and other remedies like teas and salves to help them get through these months. As the seasons change, it’s also a great reminder to check in with your loved one’s doctors and ask their advice on anything else you can do to make sure they’re prepared for cold and flu season. At The Gardens at Brook Ridge we provide health monitoring and medication management so you can rest assured knowing that your loved ones are being well taken care of with all of their medical needs.

Stock up on indoor activities

Does your loved one have favorite indoor activities? It’s important to keep them stimulated with day to day activities like knitting, reading, puzzles, and more. If they enjoy any of these kinds of hobbies, it’s a great idea to stock your loved one up with extra yarn if they knit, a new book if they read, and a new puzzle if they’re a professional puzzle-solver. On top of these personal activities, we offer weekly physical and mental activities to get the community involved and moving!

Share home-cooked meals

Winter months are especially hard for some people. The lack of sunlight, cold weather, and shorter days can mean it’s harder to stay energetic and positive. If your loved one is sensitive to these seasonal challenges, try taking them out of the community and making a home-cooked meal together. You can even send some back to the community with them as leftovers. A home-cooked meal may not solve every problem, but the love language of food is extremely comforting and can even help your loved one reflect positively on memories and family traditions.

Stay moving

When it gets chilly, it’s easy to not want to get out of bed and stay in where it’s warm. Exercise and movement is a critical part of one’s health, and at The Gardens at Brook Ridge, we love keeping our residents moving! Our weekly activity calendar is full of rotating fun activities for all activity levels. Your loved one can join us for our daily walking club, Better Bones & Balance class, or for weekly activities like active group fun, armchair yoga, and more!

Winter in Pharr, Texas isn’t anything too jarring, but it’s always good to take a step back and think about how you can better prepare your loved one for the season that does bring some concerns like cold & flu, lack of movement, and, in some cases, seasonal mood changes. At The Gardens at Brook Ridge, it is of utmost importance that all residents feel warm, at home, and healthy!

For more information on The Gardens at Brook Ridge memory care community in Pharr, TX, or to schedule a tour, contact our friendly team today.