Fall Prevention in the Winter
Fear of falling is one of the biggest concerns for the elderly and their loved ones all-year-round. And, unfortunately, during the winter months that fear can be heightened.
So today, we’re going to give you a few tips on preventing falls to help you prep for the winter months ahead.
Preventing falls outside of the house
In our previous post, we mentioned a few ways to keep outside activities to a minimum, such as asking neighbors or family members help with retrieving mail, throwing away trash, and shoveling walkways.
With that in mind, here are a few more things to mention:
Keeping ice-melt handy: Along with shoveling the walkways, it’s always a good idea to have plenty of ice-melt on hand. If possible, try to make sure someone is putting enough ice-melt on the walkway in order to prevent any build-up.
Winter boots/shoes: Having a special pair of boots or shoes with non-slip tracking can help decrease the likelihood of falls while out on snow and ice.
Other considerations: Less sunlight and other winter weather conditions often decreases visibility, which can make it much hard to walk around outside. Try to stay inside during heavy snowfall, very windy days, or as the sun sets.
Preventing falls inside of the house
As you know, falls can occur inside of the home as well, but there are a few extra things to consider when it comes to fall prevention in the winter:
Non-slip socks or slippers: Walking on cold floors can be uncomfortable. If you wear slippers or socks, make sure they are non-slip.
Cleaning up wet spots: Tracking snow into the house can sometimes be a problem. To prevent this, try to make sure boots and any wet clothing can dry above a winter doormat.
Keeping clutter to a minimum: Unfortunately, clutter can build up in the winter months with all of the extra clothes and blankets. Prevent this by making sure everything has (and goes in) its proper place.
As we’ve mentioned before, getting ready for winter can be a daunting task. But with these tips, we hope that we can make getting through the winter a little easier for your family. And as always, let us know if you have any questions by commenting below or connecting with us on Twitter.
Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation, or just to say hello!
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