At-Home Services to Get You Safely Through the Winter

From tire changes to meal kits, here are the services that will keep you safe, warm and fed

Brett Berk,

AARP

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Published January 09, 2026

At-Home Services to Get You Safely Through the Winter

Bad weather can make it difficult or dangerous to go out. Here are services that come to you to get you through the winter.

AARP (Getty Images, 4)

Winter is upon us and, with it, the challenges of getting out of the house for supplies. But according to Jennifer Szakaly, a certified life care manager in North Carolina, older adults can ease the season’s impact by using services that bring the outside world and your needs directly to your home.

Szakaly says that in winter weather, slippery surfaces can increase the risk of falls and limit the function of canes and walkers. With weaker circulation, older people can feel cold more readily. And they’re more vulnerable if winter weather affects their ability to leave home to get food, medication or medical care, or if power interruptions affect their heat, appliances or in-home medical equipment.

“Not all of these are going to be relevant for everyone, so you have to figure out which are the highest priority,” says Courtney Stevens, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, who studies improving health outcomes in older adults.

Clear the decks

Safely entering and exiting your home so you can drive somewhere if needed, and receive visitors and deliveries, is key to your well-being. But clearing snow yourself, says Stevens, risks strains, overexertion and falls.

Don’t rely on good Samaritans. “It used to be, neighbors’ kids would come by. But that’s not as reliable nowadays,” says Karen Faith Gordon, founder and owner of Karen Faith, LLC, a private mental health practice. “Get a professional service that will plow and salt your drive.” Try to set up the service in advance of that first winter snow, and “get assurance that they’ll clear your walkway, right up to the front door,” says Gordon. Neighbors, your lawn-care company or a local contractor can often provide suggestions for reputable services.

It’s not just about getting the things you need, either, says Stevens. Daily activities, errands and visits have a significant impact on health. “If people are more restricted and homebound, there are fewer opportunities for socialization or movement. And if people are more sedentary, it can lead to disruptions in sleep routines and contribute to depression or insomnia,” says Stevens.

Winterize your ride

If you drive, it’s best to avoid going out in bad weather. But sometimes it’s unavoidable.

Fortunately, tire retailers now offer mobile installation service. A technician visits your home, removes your summer tires and mounts and balances your winter tires. They may even help store your off-season tires. And because you’re ordering directly, the cost savings may help offset any delivery and installation fees.

Similarly, mobile mechanics can prepare your car for winter by testing the battery, checking windshield washer and antifreeze levels, replacing wiper blades and assessing brake and tire wear.

Ensure that you’re using a reputable, well-reviewed service. You can do this by reading online reviews and checking the business’s rating on the Better Business Bureau website. “It’s disheartening and tragic how savvy the online criminals are getting,” Gordon says. “Be absolutely vigilant.”

Alert the authorities

This is an easy one, but it could be lifesaving. Contact local first responders to inform them that an older person resides at your location. “If you call your police and fire department, they can add information to your profile, so if somebody calls about or from your address, it will pop up that there’s, for example, an 80-year-old woman who lives there alone,” says Szakaly.

You can also provide this information to your local utility providers so they can prioritize returning your service after interruptions.

When providing this information, Szakaly says, be sure to contact these places “on their nonemergency numbers. Don’t call 911 for this.”

Order in

Expanded delivery services allow nearly anything — groceries, medications, meals — to be brought to your home, eliminating the need for you to drive in inclement weather.

“If bad weather is expected, we encourage our clients to stock up on supplies,” says Szakaly. These include water, nonperishable foods and prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Access to delivery services is mainly accomplished online, so if using a computer or smartphone is not in your skill set, ask a loved one or caregiver for assistance. And, Gordon says, be aware of where the delivery will be left and whether someone can bring it inside.

These services may charge fees, and tipping is standard practice. Consider these costs an investment. “It might be financially painful to pay for some things that you normally can handle yourself,” Szakaly says, “but the money and strain you could save by eliminating risks from driving or falling is massive.”

Water. When ordering bottled water for delivery, note the container size. “People will stock up on jugs of water. But we recommend that older adults use individual bottles, because jugs can be difficult to lift,” Szakaly says.

Drugs. When ordering drugs through a delivery service, ensure that the pharmacy offers medication management services. “For example, pills placed in boldly labeled daily or twice-daily blister packs that allow people to dose properly,” says Gordon. This eliminates the need to open a pill bottle or recall the quantity and timing of meds.

Prepared meals. If you’re receiving prepared meals or meal prep kits, ensure you have contingencies in place for interruptions in utility services. “Is this still going to be useful if the power is out and you have no means of cooking?” Szakaly says. Consider prepared or other foods that can be eaten cold.

Prep for power outages

Power outages are not uncommon during winter storms. Most outages are relatively brief, but you should be prepared just in case.

Flashlight batteries used to plague us with their need for replacement. Simpler solutions exist now. “They have flashlights you can plug into outlets. They serve as nightlights, but if the power goes out, you can unplug them, and they’re already charged,” says Szakaly.

Schedule a service for your heating system

“We encourage clients to use an annual contract. You can sign up and forget about it, and they come out semiannually to do the checks and replace filters,” Szakaly says. “You get the service before you (and everyone else) need it.”

If you rely on life-sustaining equipment or medication that requires refrigeration, consider installing a backup generator. The company that services your HVAC system can assist with that, Szakaly says.

But check the rules in your neighborhood. “I have a client who recently moved into a condo association, intending to install a generator. She is working with the homeowners association on the matter. But the homeowners association had bylaws that didn’t allow it,” Gordon says.

Stay connected

Social contact is key for older adults to maintain their mental and physical health. But when it is not safe to go out or invite people over, contact can still be maintained.

Whether it’s a visit with family, speaking with a medical provider or attending a religious service, there are options. “As much as I value that in-person connection, I have many, many clients that have learned to participate online, and they can still find meaning,” says Gordon. Request video links from your place of worship and telehealth information from doctors. Also, ask friends and relatives to check in with you via audio or video calls.

And if your cellphone is going to be your lifeline to social and other connections, Szakaly strongly recommends keeping external battery packs handy and charged in case of power outages. A trusted consumer website can help you find the best pack for your needs.

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Brett Berk is a contributing writer who covers autos. His work appears regularly in Architectural Digest, Business Insider, GQ, The New York Times and Vanity Fair.