Seasonal Wellness and Local Safety Guide for Older Adults in Northern Nevada

Living in Northern Nevada is a true gift — from the crisp mountain air of the Sierra Nevada to the vibrant communities of Reno, Sparks, Incline Village, and Truckee, this region offers older adults a beautiful place to call home. But with that beauty comes a unique set of seasonal challenges. Whether it’s navigating icy sidewalks in January or staying indoors during a summer wildfire smoke event, seniors in our region deserve clear, practical guidance to stay safe and well all year long.

As your team from Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care Northern Nevada, we believe that staying informed is one of the most powerful tools for aging in place with confidence. That’s why we’ve put together this seasonal wellness and local safety guide — tailored specifically for the older adults and families we serve across Washoe County, Carson City, Nevada County, and the surrounding communities.

Winter Wellness and Safety

The Risk of Hypothermia

When temperatures drop in Northern Nevada — and they can drop sharply, especially in higher-elevation communities like Truckee and Incline Village — older adults face a heightened risk of hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F and can lead to serious health problems, including irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and damage to the kidneys or liver [1]. What makes this especially concerning is that hypothermia affects the brain and makes it difficult to think clearly, so a person may not realize what is happening and that they need help [1].

Older adults lose body heat faster and tend to produce less body heat than younger adults, meaning that even being in a cold house — not just outdoors — can put a senior at risk [2]. Warning signs to watch for include cold or pale skin, feeling very tired or confused, weakness, problems walking, and slowed breathing or heart rate [3]. If you suspect hypothermia in yourself or a loved one, call 911 immediately.

Tips to stay warm this winter:

• Dress in loose, warm layers with hats and scarves when going outside.
• Keep your home heated to at least 68–70°F.
• Ask your doctor if any of your medications may affect your body’s ability to regulate heat [1].
• Check in on neighbors and loved ones during cold snaps.

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Winter Hazard

During the winter months, it’s common to use fireplaces, wood stoves, gas appliances, and space heaters. Unless these are properly vented, cleaned, and used, they can leak dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide — a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell [3]. Make sure your home has working carbon monoxide detectors, and have your heating systems inspected annually.

Winter Falls: A Leading Danger for Older Adults

Falls are one of the most serious seasonal risks for seniors in Northern Nevada. In 2020, nearly 30 percent of adults 65 and over in Nevada reported a fall, and in 2021, there were 325 deaths from falls statewide [4]. Locally, REMSA Health — the region’s emergency medical services provider — reported that approximately 12.8 percent of its more than 80,000 annual 911 calls were for fall-related incidents [4].

Ice and snow make walking more treacherous, and this risk increases significantly during early morning and evening hours when visibility is reduced [5]. Cold temperatures can also cause joints to become stiffer and decrease mobility, further raising the risk [5].

Practical winter fall prevention tips:

• Wear the right footwear. Choose boots with thick rubber soles, good ankle support, and plenty of tread. Consider removable ice grippers that attach to the bottom of shoes for extra traction on icy surfaces [6].
• Clear your walkways. Keep outside walkways clear of snow and ice with an ice melt product or sand [1]. If shoveling is too strenuous, ask a family member, neighbor, or local service for help.
• Walk mindfully. Take short steps, keep your weight evenly distributed, and keep your hands free for balance rather than in your pockets [7].
• Use your cane safely. If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it wears smooth, and consider an ice pick-like attachment for additional traction on icy surfaces [3].
• Try a simple traction trick. Sprinkling cat litter on slick surfaces can create traction and is an easy, affordable way to reduce slipping risk [6].
• Stay active indoors. Gentle exercises that improve balance and strength can make you more resilient to slips and falls [7]. The Sanford Center for Aging at UNR offers balance and strength exercise guides specifically for older adults in our community [4].

For seniors who have already experienced a fall, it’s important to know that falling once doubles the chances of falling again [4]. The Sanford Center for Aging, in partnership with REMSA Health and the Reno Fire Department, has launched a new fall prevention program that provides personalized assessments and resources to help older adults reduce their risk [4].

Summer Safety: Wildfire Smoke and Heat

Wildfire Smoke: A Growing Concern for Northern Nevada Seniors

Summers in Northern Nevada have become increasingly defined by wildfire smoke. In 2021, parts of Northern Nevada experienced some of the worst air quality on record due to smoke funneling in from California fires [8]. Research published in JAMA Network Open found that exposure to high concentrations of smoke pollution may be associated with respiratory and possibly cardiovascular health risks in older adults [9].

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, adults age 65 and over are among those at elevated health risk from wildfire smoke exposure, particularly those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, lung disease, or cardiovascular disease [10].

How to protect yourself during smoky days:

• Check air quality daily. Visit AirNow.gov for real-time air quality data and smoke outlooks in your area [11]. The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also recommends checking local air quality reports and staying indoors if conditions are unhealthy [8].
• Stay indoors with windows closed. When air quality is poor, keep windows and doors shut. Be aware that window air conditioning units and evaporative coolers may draw in smoke from outdoors, creating hazardous air quality levels inside the home [12].
• Use a portable air cleaner. If possible, use a HEPA air purifier indoors to reduce particulate matter [8].
• Have supplies on hand. Stock up on groceries and medications so you don’t need to travel outdoors on high-smoke days [8].
• Follow your doctor’s advice. If you have a respiratory or heart condition, have a plan in place with your healthcare provider for managing your condition during smoke events [8].

Extreme Heat

While Northern Nevada’s high desert climate means cooler nights, summer daytime temperatures can still be intense — and many homes in the region lack central air conditioning [12]. During heat events, seniors should stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and seek out cool public spaces such as libraries or community centers if needed.

Local Emergency Alert Systems: Stay Informed

One of the most important things any senior — or their family member — can do is sign up for local emergency alerts. Northern Nevada has robust systems in place to keep residents informed during wildfires, floods, winter storms, and other emergencies.

Washoe County: Smart911 / Rave Alert

Residents of Reno, Sparks, and unincorporated Washoe County have been automatically enrolled in Smart911, the region’s emergency alert system, using contact information associated with their sewer accounts [13]. Smart911 delivers geographically targeted emergency alerts — such as evacuation orders or shelter-in-place notices — through cell phone, landline, or email [13].

Importantly, residents can add additional contact details or provide information that may assist first responders, such as a medical condition or limited mobility, by signing up for a full Smart911 account [13]. This is especially valuable for seniors with health conditions.

To manage your emergency alert preferences, visit: washoecounty.gov/em/regional-alerts/index.php [14]

Washoe County also uses Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which can target specific geographic areas — such as Incline Village — so that only residents in affected areas receive the alert [14].

Nevada County, CA (Truckee Area)

For seniors and families in the Truckee and Nevada County area, the county has transitioned to a new Nevada County Alerts system. Residents can sign up online or by calling 2-1-1 to receive emergency notifications [15]. The new system allows residents to add up to five addresses per phone number or email — helpful for families who want to monitor alerts for a parent’s home [15].

Additional Resources to Bookmark

• emergencywashoe.com — Regional information center for Washoe County emergencies [14]
• AirNow.gov — Real-time air quality data [11]
• Nevada 511 (NDOT) — Real-time road closures and weather-related travel conditions [11]
• National Weather Service — The most immediate source for Flash Flood Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, and Winter Storm Alerts for Nevada [11]

Local Wellness Resources for Northern Nevada Seniors

Beyond emergency preparedness, staying well through the seasons means staying connected to community resources. Here are a few worth knowing:

• Washoe County Senior Services — Offers homemaker services, nutrition programs, case management, and more, with a mission to assist older adults in maintaining independence, dignity, and quality of life [16].
• Food Bank of Northern Nevada — Provides monthly nutrition boxes to low-income seniors 60 and over at more than 40 locations across Reno, Sparks, and rural Northern Nevada [17].
• City of Reno Senior Programs — Offers a wide range of health, wellness, and social activities for older adults, including free line dance classes and access to the Senior Connection Newsletter [18].
• Sanford Center for Aging (UNR) — Provides free lectures, training programs, wellness resources, and the new fall prevention program in partnership with REMSA Health and the Reno Fire Department [4].
• Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada (RTNNV) — Offers a Fall Prevention Program that includes home modifications such as grab bars, ramps, and lighting improvements for eligible homeowners [19].

How Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care Northern Nevada Can Help

Seasonal safety isn’t just about knowing the risks — it’s about having the right support in place so that no older adult has to face those risks alone. That’s where Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care Northern Nevada comes in.

Our unique peer-to-peer model matches active, compassionate senior caregivers with less active seniors who need a helping hand. Whether it’s clearing a walkway before an icy morning, accompanying a client to a medical appointment during wildfire smoke season, helping stock up on groceries before a winter storm, or simply being a warm, familiar presence during the long, isolating months of winter — our caregivers are there.

Because our caregivers are seniors themselves, they understand firsthand what it means to navigate Northern Nevada’s seasons as an older adult. They’ve felt the same cold, breathed the same smoky summer air, and know the importance of having someone you trust nearby. This shared experience is at the heart of everything we do.

We offer a full range of customizable in-home care services across Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Incline Village, Truckee, North Lake Tahoe, and the surrounding communities — including light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation assistance, companionship, and specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

If you or a loved one could benefit from a little extra support this season — or any season — we’d love to connect. Reach out to Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care Northern Nevada today and discover what it means to have a caring friend by your side.

Citations

[1] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/cold-weather-safety-older-adults
[2] https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=3236
[3] https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-winter-safety-older-adults
[4] https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2026/sanford-fall-prevention
[5] https://www.nationalchurchresidences.org/blog/essential-winter-fall-prevention-tips-for-seniors/
[6] https://www.ncoa.org/article/winterize-to-prevent-falls/
[7] https://www.lifeline.com/blog/preventing-winter-falls-tips-for-safety/
[8] https://dcnr.nv.gov/news/summer-safety-tips-for-wildfires-smoky-skies-and-extreme-heat-conditions
[9] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12044514/
[10] https://www.hhs.gov/climate-change-health-equity-environmental-justice/climate-change-health-equity/climate-health-outlook/wildfire/index.html
[11] https://www.nevada211.org/disaster/
[12] https://www.dri.edu/an-invisible-natural-disaster/
[13] https://washoelife.washoecounty.gov/washoe-county/most-county-city-residents-automatically-enrolled-in-new-emergency-alert-software/
[14] https://www.washoecounty.gov/em/regional-alerts/index.php
[15] https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3780/Emergency-Alerts
[16] https://www.unr.edu/diversity/groups/work-life-and-family-council/elder-care
[17] https://www.fbnn.org/gethelp/seniors/
[18] https://www.reno.gov/community/seniors/
[19] https://rebuildingtogethernnv.org/blog/fall-prevention-program