Winter is one of the busiest times of the year in home care. Colder weather, shorter days and seasonal illness affect the people we support and the carers who visit them. At Heritage Homecare, we prepare early so that care continues safely whatever the season brings. Below, we answer the questions we hear most often from clients, families and our own team.
What happens if there’s a weather warning?
We monitor Met Éireann warnings closely throughout the winter. If conditions make travel unsafe, your coordinator will be in touch as early as possible. Essential calls, including personal care, medication support and meals, are always our priority. Where other visits need to move, we’ll rearrange them with you and keep you informed.
One thing that helps us greatly is having the right contact numbers on file. If anything has changed for you or a family member, please let us know.
How do your carers stay safe on the roads?
Our team gets around in many ways: driving, walking, cycling, scooters and public transport. Whatever the method, we ask them to leave extra time, wear footwear with good grip and stay in touch with their coordinator during the day. Drivers check their tyres, lights, wipers, screen wash and antifreeze before the cold sets in.
Every Heritage Homecare carer is given high-visibility clothing, so they can be seen clearly on dark mornings and evenings. If you can keep your path or entrance clear and the outside light on, it makes a real difference when your carer arrives.
What do you do to stop infections spreading?
Many of our clients are more vulnerable to flu, COVID-19 and winter bugs, so infection control is part of every visit. Our carers clean their hands regularly and use the PPE each client’s care plan calls for, such as gloves, aprons or masks, in line with current guidance. Carers who are unwell stay at home, and we arrange cover.
If someone in your home is sick before a visit, please tell us. Your carer can then take the right precautions to protect you, themselves and their other clients.
Should I get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines?
That’s a conversation for you and your GP or pharmacist, but vaccination is recommended for older adults and people with long-term health conditions. The two vaccines protect against different viruses, and many people can have both at the same appointment. We strongly encourage our carers to get vaccinated too, and both vaccines are free for healthcare workers.
How do you look after your carers through the winter?
Our carers give a great deal to the people they support, and the winter months can be tiring. We encourage our team to take their breaks, keep in contact with colleagues and talk to their Care Supervisor or Coordinator early if something is weighing on them. Every member of staff also has free, confidential access to our Employee Assistance Programme for support at any time.
A word of thanks
Our carers keep going through rain, frost and dark evenings to make sure people can stay safe and comfortable at home. We’re proud of them, and grateful to every client and family who works with us to make winter visits run smoothly.
Wishing you a safe and healthy winter from all at Heritage Homecare.
Where to find more information
- Met Éireann warnings: www.met.ie
- Government winter advice: www.gov.ie/be-emergency-ready
- Road safety in severe weather: www.rsa.ie
- Health protection information: www.hpsc.ie
