December 5, 2025

Seasonal Caregiving Tips: A Caregiver’s Checklist 

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Each season brings new changes in weather, daylight, and daily routines that can affect a loved one’s care. Shorter days may disrupt sleep or increase confusion for those sensitive to changes in light. Shifts in temperature can influence comfort and mobility. Even familiar seasonal activities, such as holiday gatherings or time spent outdoors, may require extra support and planning. 

Because these shifts are predictable, preparing early can make a big difference for caregivers. Thinking ahead allows you to manage schedule changes, safety concerns, and environmental challenges before they come up. This helps your loved one feel more at ease and gives you greater confidence as a caregiver. 

To support that preparation, we’ve created seasonal caregiving checklists that outline your to-do list before each new season begins. Although every family experiences the seasons differently, many caregivers face similar transitions, and a little planning can help those moments feel much smoother.

Winter Caregiving Prep: Staying Warm, Safe, and Engaged 

• When to start planning: November to mid-December 
• Key considerations: Warm clothes, stable footwear, emergency supplies, and heat security

Winter is often a welcome visitor for those who enjoy the holiday season. Most locations across the U.S. experience dropping temperatures and often see increased precipitation—rain, snow, or ice—that require some preparation. Customize these suggestions based on your exact climate, your loved one’s needs, and your caregiving routine.

At Home Winter Checklist for Caregivers

• Unpack and clean winter attire. Bring out heavier jackets, hats, mittens or gloves, and scarves. Make sure your loved one’s winter boots fit and still have tread to support them if ice is possible in your area. 
• Plan for a backup heat source. If your furnace goes out in a cold snap, think ahead about how you’ll stay warm: use a generator, a gas fireplace, or stay with nearby friends or family. 
• Organize indoor activities. Play games, get creative with arts and crafts projects, or tackle a puzzle together. Check with your library or online social media groups for swap events or local places where you can trade old activities for new ones. 
• Schedule visitors. Contact family and friends who may be available to drop in for a few hours. Weekly visitors can help combat loneliness or isolation during the colder and darker winter months.  

Monitor your loved one’s mental health. Keep an eye on your loved one for signs of seasonal depression. This can include new or worsening sadness, hopelessness, irritability, sleep issues, anxiety, or decreased interest in things they previously loved. Make sure to contact their primary care doctor quickly if you notice new symptoms.

Outside the Home Winter Checklist for Caregivers 

• Clear snow and ice from sidewalks early. This helps combat accumulation and can prevent falls or slips. Always ask for help from a friend or neighbor if stepping away from caregiving isn’t possible or you cannot get to it quickly enough.  
• Make sure you have salt or sand on hand. Sprinkling these on walkways and driveways can melt ice and provide much-needed traction in slippery spots. 
• Set up a shoe drop zone. Wet footwear can easily make floors slippery. Consider adding a shoe mat in your garage or designating a spot near your home’s main entrances where shoes can dry out.  
• Make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter:
  • Double check that it has a snow brush and ice scraper to easily clear your windshield when winter weather hits.  
  • Stock it with winter gear in case of an emergency. Pack up blankets, extra warm-weather accessories, a pack of hand and foot warmers, water, and portable snacks (think granola bars, crackers, or cereal). 
  • Take it to the mechanic to proactively check fluid levels, tire pressure, windshield wiper quality, and brakes. 

Spring Caregiving Prep: Refresh and Prepare for Outdoor Living 

• When to start planning: Late February to March 
• Key considerations: Fewer layers, seasonal allergies, outdoor activity safety, increasing daylight 

Warmer sunshine, longer days, and budding plants make spring a season of celebration. It brings the end of daylight saving time, more reasons to be outdoors, and new opportunities to socialize with friends, family, and neighbors.

At Home Springtime Checklist for Caregivers 

• Pack away heavy winter clothing. Pull winter jackets and accessories like gloves, hats, and boots out of your main closets and off entryway hooks. Storing these in a dedicated box or bin in a specific location in the house can keep your entryway and closets clear of clutter. Consider washing and labeling the pieces before storing them, so they’re clean and easy to find for next winter.  
• Schedule a clutter and clean day. Donate clothes that no longer fit, recycle magazines or newspapers, and resell books and home decor that you don’t need. A deep cleaning, including windows, baseboards, entryway closets, and appliances can help you feel more refreshed heading into the next season. Ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to stay with your loved one so you can spend time creating a cleaner care space. 
• Evaluate medical equipment for repairs or replacements. Use your spring cleaning time to confirm the critical tools for your loved one’s care are still in working order.  

Shift schedules prior to the official time change. Adjust your routines by five to ten minutes—including wake times, meals, medication schedules, and bedtime—beginning a week or so prior to daylight saving time. Doing so can make the official transition much easier on both of you.

Outside the Home Springtime Checklist for Caregivers 

• Monitor seasonal allergies. New allergic reactions can arise later in life due to changes with the immune system as we age. Watch out for signs including new eye irritations, stuffy sinuses, or sneezing. These symptoms can often complicate chronic conditions, like asthma or heart conditions, so be sure to consult your loved one’s physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan. 
• Schedule annual doctor’s appointments. Make sure both you and your loved one have regularly occurring appointments with a dentist, eye doctor, and any other specialists set up on the calendar. 

Ensure your favorite outdoor areas are ready for you. Move outdoor furniture to its dedicated spot, put up bird feeders, and check stairs and sidewalks for winter wear and repair needs. Walk around your outdoor living area and make sure it’s safe and ready.

Summer Caregiving Prep: Protecting Loved Ones from the Heat

• When to start planning: Late April to May 
• Key considerations: Breathable clothing, skin safety, hydration, natural disaster planning 

Summer brings longer days and higher temperatures, both of which can affect your loved one’s comfort and safety. With a little preparation, you can enjoy the season while staying ahead of heat-related challenges and schedule changes. Use this summer checklist to make sure you’re ready for what the warmer months may bring.

At Home Summertime Checklist for Caregivers

• Check your air conditioning unit and fans. Make sure the system is turned on and vents are open for optimal flow throughout the home. By ensuring everything works before you need it, you can avoid urgent repairs, which can often mean waiting days or weeks for a technician. 
• Stock up on sunscreen and bring out breathable clothing. Many older adults are especially sensitive to heat as they age. Whenever you leave the home, be prepared with supplies that provide skin protection without holding in too much body heat.  

Prepare or check emergency supply bins. Make sure they contain everything you need and replace expired food or broken items. Depending on where you live, you will want to consider supplies in case of a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or tornado.

Outside the Home Summertime Checklist for Caregivers 

• Schedule outdoor activities for the morning or evening. When possible, avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. For especially hot days, walks, visits to parks, or garden parties are best before 10am.  
• Learn about the warning signs for overheating. Signs include confusion, dizziness, and headaches. Older adults can overheat more easily than others, so even if it’s not very warm outside, continually monitor them for symptoms.  

Keep water and sunscreen on hand. They can help prevent heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunburn. Consider having extra water and a tube of sunblock in your trunk or day bag.

Fall Caregiving Prep: Planning for Health and Safety

• When to start planning: Late August to September 
• Key considerations: Layered clothing, seasonal vaccinations, reduced daylight 

Fall introduces changes for many families and communities with the introduction of more predictable schedules and cooling weather. With autumn comes increases in time spent indoors, and with that, a higher chance of sharing germs that lead to illness. Review our fall checklist below so you’re prepared for any scenario.

At Home Fall Checklist for Caregivers

• Swap summer clothes for fall attire. Put away shorts, T-shirts, and dresses, and bring out long sleeves, sweaters, and hats. Having these items washed and ready to wear will make the first cool day much easier.  
• Check on your furnace and fireplaces to make sure they’re fully functioning prior to cooler days ahead. Doing this early can help prevent an emergency if a cold snap comes.  
• Purchase extra non-perishable food and supplies. Having extras on hand can make a huge difference in case of poor road conditions or impassable streets. Consider stocking up on items that are high in protein and provide a well-rounded meal, like beans, pasta, sauce, canned fruits, and canned vegetables.  
• Inventory medications. Check that you have extra medications and medical supplies on hand if you are unable to get to the pharmacy. Since you often hear about winter storms days before they hit, use the advanced notice to fill medications early.

Outside the Home Fall Checklist for Caregivers

• Schedule your seasonal vaccines. While many pharmacies and clinics offer drop-in vaccines, we recommend scheduling ahead of time so they aren’t forgotten. Contact your loved one’s provider to understand what vaccines are recommended for them. You’ll also want their guidance on which vaccines you and other family or respite caregivers need to keep your loved one healthy. 
• Plan for holiday gatherings. Connect with family and friends to nail down parties, small gatherings, or full family festivities well in advance. These times of connection are critical to your loved one’s sense of community and feeling loved.

A Year-Round Caregiver’s Guide to Seasonal Resilience

Caregiving is a year-round job. Each season brings the opportunity to step back and evaluate, revisiting your loved one’s schedule and ensuring you are ready for whatever the next season may bring. Under each section above, you’ll find recommended date ranges to review the checklists provided. Consider marking your calendar quarterly in a way that works for you—whether that’s on the first official day of the season, the first day of a new quarter, or something that works best with your planning. 

If you’re just beginning your caregiving journey, and it’s the first time you’ve considered intentional planning on a seasonal basis, consider checking out Careforth’s Caregiver Starter Kit. With valuable tips and guidance for all caregivers, including a printable checklist for seasonal planning, it’s the perfect tool to reference anytime of the year.

Seasonal Caregiving FAQs 

Why is seasonal caregiving important? 

Every season brings exciting opportunities to connect with your loved one; however, it can also bring new challenges depending on their conditions. Most people become more scheduled as they age, and with extended or shortened daylight hours and changes to outdoor risks and opportunities, it’s important to consider all of the external factors that can make caregiving unique during each season.  

How often should caregivers update seasonal routines? 

Revisit your routines on a quarterly basis, regardless of the weather where you live. It’s a great chance to evaluate what you’re doing, keep spaces clean, and prepare for whatever the next season will bring.  

Can seasonal caregiving routines help prevent emergencies? 

Preparedness can prevent emergencies, but it can also help you and your loved one feel more ready for whatever may come. While natural disasters will always be urgent and extreme, other simple activities, like clearing snow and ice, having extra water and food on hand, and scheduling activities around extreme weather conditions can ensure your loved one’s safety and well-being in all seasons.

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