Unique Gifts for the Holidays Part II of V
Winter is finally settling in Colorado after a stormy, cold Thanksgiving weekend that brought more than four inches of snow to the Denver metro area. But with snow comes extra challenges for some of our most vulnerable neighbors in our community.
The physical demands of shoveling snow can be too extreme for some older adults whose health conditions may prevent them from completing the task. And there is evidence that shows that if you’re an older adult, you should think twice before attempting to shovel your driveway.
A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that nearly 200,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for snow-shoveling-related incidents from 1990 to 2006.
Approximately 1,647 deaths were also recorded in the study, and all of them were cardiac related.
Shoveling snow drives up a person’s heart rate and blood pressure, and blood tends to pool in the lower extremities. This is because shoveling snow requires using seldom-used arm muscles while the legs mostly stay still. Meanwhile, cold temperatures constrict the arteries, decreasing the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart. All of these factors aggravate the stress on the heart and create an elevated risk for heart attacks.
Simply put, shoveling snow can create consequential health problems for older adults in our community.
It’s important for older adults and their caregivers to plan ahead and establish a reliable system for snow removal to ensure their safety during the winter months.
Community resources and support from others can play a crucial role in making this process more manageable for older adults in Colorado.
Organizations like A Little Help, a nonprofit that connects volunteers to help older adults thrive and age well in their homes, offers opportunities for both snow removal and volunteer opportunities. A Little Help volunteers are connected with older adult neighborhoods for an entire snow shoveling season. And then once a volunteer has selected a home to help, they will contact the household to introduce themselves.
Volunteers shovel snowfall of two inches or more to clear the homeowner’s walkability so that they can have a safe path to walk, get to the mailbox, and more. To learn more about the snow removal services, visit https://alittlehelp.org/SnowRemoval.
Volunteers of America Colorado also offers a snow removal program that connects volunteers to an older adult in the community to help them with snow removal throughout the winter season. Those who are interested can apply to volunteer at www.voacolorado.org/volunteer-opportunities/snowbuddies or by calling 303-946-9049.
Finally, some local governments also offer snow shoveling services for those who are unable to do the task. For example, the city of Aurora’s Snow Busters program pairs volunteers in the community with neighbors who live within three miles of them to help them shovel snow. Volunteers through this program commit to helping one person for one snow season.
As the winter season settles in, let us be mindful of the potential health risks associated with snow removal for older adults. By proactively seeking and utilizing available resources, and being a good neighbor, we can ensure the safety and well being of our older adult neighbors during the snowy season in Colorado.
