Pink Tips for Taking Care of Elderly Parents and Grandkids: Chase Away the Winter Chills with These Warm and Cozy Ideas

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For many of us in the Sandwich Generation, this winter will be the stuff of which tales are told to our grandchildren for decades to come. Tales of snowstorms that keep on coming, snow drifts taller than giants, and ice storms to end all ice storms. In other words, it’s just plain COLD. We are relatively warm here with temps staying around 20-30 most of the time (compared to some friends who are averaging -20!) Still and all, some days it’s tough to stay warm. And that’s especially true for those of us in the Sandwich Generation who may have to run out on errands for aging parents or special needs grandkids or even doctor appointments for ourselves – even on days that would normally keep the Abominable Snowman home in front of his own fire!

Not only that, but for those of us caring for the elderly parents and relatives in our family, we also have to take into consideration the fact that most senior citizens‘ “internal thermometer” seems to make a drastic change sometime in their 60s or 70s. Which means they’re often freezing on days we’re roasting on. Which then means that on days we’re freezing on, we need to make sure they are staying warm enough not to get ill or have to deal with hypothermia!

Pittsburgh Live had an excellent quote from Dr. Larry Jones, director of the burn center at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Bloomfield.  “Elderly people and the very young are particularly susceptible to hypothermia because their immune systems are not as good, and they tend to not have the built-in insulation that other people do…Older people who are confused because of senility, dementia or medications can be susceptible to hypothermia because they might not realize they are not properly dressed for cold weather.”

One thing my Sandwich Generation family, including my senior mom, my granddaughter, and I, all do to stay warm in this cold weather is wear “long underwear.” My personal favorite, which several other family members also love, is the thin, almost silk Cuddl Duds long underwear. Generally I can get by just fine wearing only the long pants under my jeans, coupled with a sweat shirt when I am cold, that I can remove when I get hot. (Yup, this baby boomer still needs to keep doing that 🙂 ). They are so nice and thin and soft and comfy they fit easily under anything and don’t send chills up my back when my dry hands touch them. And they really do keep you warm. I forgot to put mine on the other day and went out in the wind and snow just to get the newspaper. I came straight in, feeling like I had two popsicles for legs, and put them on immediately. And guess what, all you PINK SATURDAY fans – they have some PINK Cuddl Duds long underwear as well as white and black. Hmmm, those would make great Valentine or any time gifts for the elderly parents in our family, wouldn’t they? 🙂

Hot chocolate (love that Swiss Miss) and hot Lipton tea, perhaps sweetly sipped from one of my great aunt’s vintage pink flowered tea cups, is another of my winter tips for myself and my elderly parents. My senior mom, on the other hand, is a strong proponent of hot coffee and hot soup, and most afternoons you will find some of each bubbling away in the kitchen.

Whatever we do, it’s vital we keep a close eye on our elderly parents, as well as our young grandkids, to make sure they stay hale, hearty, healthy, and warm enough during this winter time. Got any more tips for us – pink or otherwise – to help us as we’re taking care of elderly parents and young grandkids and working hard to keep all of our Sandwich Generation family warm during the cold winter chills? We’d love to hear. And for more cute Pink things of all sizes, shapes, and creativity, visit Bev at Pink Saturday. 🙂

P.S. Want more info about the pink Cuddle Duds long underwear? Just click here. 🙂