Winter is just around the corner, and so is the yearly preparation routine. It's time to take out winter clothes, bring in the outdoor plants, ready snow shovels and salt, and check water pipes. It may also be necessary to make the home more accessible for seniors in winter conditions, by installing slip-proof porch mats or stair rails. If you have friends or relatives who are elderly, these chores may not be as easy as they once were. In some cases, seniors may be unable to take care of themselves, but not willing to admit that they need help.

So what do you do if you can see that a loved friend or relative needs help, but can't persuade them to accept any?

Pam Reynolds from Allegiance Health Care has several tips to make the discussion easier. Her first tip -- which you can do if you're a forward-thinking person -- is "Lay the ground work — Don’t wait until a crisis." If you can't persuade your loved one to accept help now, keep the discussion alive and suggest bringing in help later, like in January after the busyness of the holidays. Regularly revisiting the issue can be a gentle, yet firm, way to ensure your elderly loved ones receive the care they need.

For the complete list of advice, read the post on Allegiance's website!

Pam Reynolds has spent her entire career in the senior care industry, both in long-term care facilities and home health care. She is the President of Allegiance Home Care, a full service home health care agency serving the greater Washington, D.C. area, and also serves as Loudoun Senior Interest Network’s Vice President. For more information about Pam and how she can help you and your loved ones with in-home elder care, please visit the Allegiance website. You can also find her contact information, along with other in-home care resources, in our Aging in Place resource directory.