Five Essential Winter Tips for Seniors in Wirral: Stay Warm and Well This Season.

At Home Instead Wirral, our mission is to ensure every senior stays safe, warm, and happy at home. Based on essential winter advice, here are five non-negotiable tips for a healthy winter:

1. Maintain a Warm Home Environment Cold weather can be a real health risk. Keep your main living areas warm—ideally around 21°C (70°F)—and the rest of the house no lower than 18°C (64°F). Check for and seal drafts around windows and doors, and use heavy curtains to keep the heat in once it gets dark. It’s always best to consider a (pre-winter) service for your boiler to avoid breakdowns when you need it most.
2. Layer Up, Indoors and Out The trick to staying warm is wearing several thin layers of clothing rather than one thick one. The air trapped between the layers acts as an insulator. Don’t forget warm socks and slippers indoors, and if you have to venture out to places like Birkenhead Park, Royden Park or New Brighton, ensure you have a warm coat, hat, and gloves.
3. Prioritise Warm, Nutritious Meals & Hydration Your body burns more energy to stay warm in winter, so regular, hot, nutritious meals are vital. Think warming soups, stews, and porridge. It’s also easy to forget to drink enough water when it’s cold, but hydration is crucial. Encourage regular hot drinks like herbal teas and broth to keep fluid levels up.
4. Guard Against Slips, Trips, and Falls Icy footpaths and wet leaves are major hazards. If you must go out, wear sturdy, non-slip footwear and take slow, deliberate steps. Indoors, ensure all paths are clear of clutter, and use non-slip mats in the bathroom and at entryways. If a loved one is struggling, our Care Professionals in Wirral can assist with errands to minimise risky trips out.
5. Stay Connected and Beat the Winter Blues Shorter, darker days can lead to feelings of isolation. Make a proactive effort to stay in touch with friends and family, whether through a phone call, video chat, or a safe, distanced visit. Engaging in indoor hobbies, puzzles, or simple chair-based exercises can also help boost mood and circulation.

A Green-Fingered Solution to the Winter Blues: Indoor Gardening!

When the weather makes going out to enjoy our local green spaces impossible, bringing nature inside can be a wonderful tonic. Indoor gardening is a fantastic, therapeutic activity that stimulates the mind and gives you something beautiful to nurture. It doesn’t require much space! Easy projects include:

• Growing Herbs on a Windowsill: Basil, mint, and chives are simple to grow and add fresh flavour to those warming winter soups.
• Starting Seeds: Get a head start on spring by sprouting vegetable seeds (like tomatoes or peppers) indoors.
• Caring for Houseplants: Tending to a collection of easy-care houseplants, like spider plants or peace lilies, can provide a relaxing daily routine and help purify the air.

Keeping your loved one safe and engaged this winter shouldn’t be a source of worry. If you or a family member on the Wirral needs reliable, compassionate support with daily tasks, companionship, or errands to stay safe at home, contact Home Instead Wirral today. We are dedicated to providing personalised care that makes winter easier and brighter for seniors across our community.

Call us on 0151 382 4000 or learn more from our local care services pages.