Another article in our series on Winter Safety Tips for Older Adults.
A senior’s fall risk increases once winter sets in. Winter falls also have a higher chance of leading to a traumatic injury and death, according to an article from the Mayo Clinic.
Even something as simple as going to the mailbox or taking out the garbage becomes more treacherous in winter!
To help you stay safe, here are some winter fall prevention tips for seniors:
- Don’t go out if you don’t have to.
- Slow down and give yourself extra time.
- Dress for the weather, even if you don’t think you’ll be outside for long.
- Carry a cell phone, even for a quick trip to the mailbox.
- Forget about being stylish.
- Wear non-slip boots or shoes or use cleats.
- Use something to steady yourself.
- Clear your path and / or spread something on the ground for traction as you walk.
How Can We Prevent Winter Falls?
In the Mayo Clinic article I referred to above, Dr. Jeremy L. Fogelson, a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic’s Rochester, MN campus talked about how winter conditions can lead to more fall accidents in seniors.
This is because, “They are more likely to have an unsteady gait, and the bones are less strong and flexible. Also, depending on an elderly person’s physical state, sidewalks may not be tended to as much and icy conditions will build up.“
Orthopedic injuries from falls, such as broken bones in the wrist, arm, ankle or hip, are common in all seasons. For older adults, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury, which ultimately can be fatal. Even for elderly patients who do not die due to injury from a fall, consequences can lead to nursing home stays and subsequent health decline.
Mayo Clinic
In order for older people to prevent winter falls, they should take certain precautions before going outside – especially in snowy or icy weather conditions.
To reduce your risk of fall-related injuries during the colder weather months, make use of the simple winter safety tips outlined in the following sections.
1. Don’t Go Out If You Don’t Have To
Think about it – do you REALLY need to get the mail, take out the garbage, or run to the grocery store if it is snowy and icy?
Trust me, the mail can wait and the garbage can be set outside the door for drop off into a bin when the snow or icy conditions have been cleared.
Keeping an eye on the weather forecast will allow you to stock up on necessities before a winter storm hits. And there are tons of delivery services out there now.
Companies like UberEats or GrubHub will bring food right to your door. The majority of grocery stores also offer delivery services.
It’s worth paying for these, on occasion, to keep you safe from slipping on ice or snow.
But if you do happen to slip and fall on an icy patch, it’s important to know what to do. Here are some tips for you!
2. Slow Down And Give Yourself Extra Time
If you must go out after a winter storm, don’t be in a hurry. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going.
Also, leave extra early so you aren’t trying to hustle across the icy surfaces of parking lots, sidewalks or driveways because you’re running late.
Walk slowly, taking short steps to minimize your risk of falling.
It’s also a good idea to know how to fall safely (yes, there is a way to do it).
3. Dress For The Weather
PLEASE put on a winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves when you go out for ANY reason in the winter!
People think they are fine to make the short trek to the mail box or their garbage cans, so they often just dash out without dressing properly for the weather.
Then, BOOM, they slip and fall and could end up laying there for who knows how long?
You’re risking hypothermia and worse if you go outside without dressing for the weather.
4. ALWAYS Carry A Cell Phone Or Other Alert Device
I have an elderly family member who just spent part of the summer recovering from a broken leg. She’s 85 and she fell when she went out to put the garbage in the bins across the driveway from her apartment.
She wasn’t wearing her Life Alert, because she was “just” going maybe 100 feet from her door.
Luckily, it was summer, so she didn’t freeze to death – because this poor, sweet lady lay on the ground, calling for help, for close to four hours before a car full of young men spotted her.
They called 911 and stayed with her until the ambulance arrived.
Her fall was bad enough, but can you imagine how awful the outcome would be if this happened to an older person in the winter?
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll “just” dash out and be right back.
Always err on the side of caution – especially in cold weather. Dress properly (and TAKE YOUR CELL PHONE!).
5. Forget About Being Stylish
When it’s snowy or icy, you need footwear with good traction so you don’t slip.
Forget about wearing cute, fashionable boots or high heels – wear low-heeled shoes or winter boots with non-skid soles, instead.
And consider using ice cleats on them.
You can always bring the stylish footwear with you and change into them when you are inside your destination.
Believe me, it’s not worth a fall just to be a fashionista.
6. Wear Cleats
Okay, so ice cleats aren’t very attractive, but again, it’s not worth risking a broken limb or a worse injury if you need to go out on slippery surfaces like ice and snow. Get a pair to keep in the car, as well.
This is especially important if you are going out to remove snow from your driveway or walkway.
*NOTE – always remove cleats when you aren’t on ice and snow! They are very slippery on hardwood, linoleum, tile, or concrete floors.
There are a couple of choices in cleats:
- Rubber soled cleats with steel studs: They cover most of the bottom of a shoe or boot and are light and foldable so you can carry them in a pocket or purse. This type seems to wear out / break quicker than the chain cleats. *TIP: For maximum traction, we recommend cleats that cover the entire sole, not just the cleats that strap across the toes of your shoes or boots.
- Chain cleats with or without spikes: Also lightweight and easy to carry in a pocket or purse.
7. Use Something To Steady Yourself
Elderly people who are unsteady on their feet should already be using walking aids, like a cane or a walker (and that’s even more reason why they shouldn’t go out on a snowy or icy day!).
For use in winter weather, consider replacing your regular cane tip with an ice gripper cane tip.
If you don’t normally use an assistive device, it can be helpful to walk with a ski pole or a cane – even a broom – at this time of year.
Anything that can be used to steady yourself on slippery ground.
For those who use wheelchairs, you (or a handy friend / relative) can make DIY “snow tires” using plastic wire ties.
The project instructions can be found on the United Spinal Association website.
8. Clear Your Path And / Or Spread Something On The Ground For Better Traction
It can be very helpful to spread something on the ground in front of you to give you traction as you walk.
I would suggest carrying a small bag of kitty litter or sand with you when you walk (maybe in a fanny pack so your hands / arms aren’t encumbered).
You can sprinkle handfuls of this material as you go, although this is only practical if you are walking a short distance, such as to the mailbox.
If you already live in a snowy area, you are familiar with using a snow melt substance on sidewalks and steps, but using these products doesn’t eliminate one hundred percent of the ice.
When I lived in Colorado, I still slipped on steps that had already been treated.
If the steps or path is wet and the temperature is below freezing, the wet pavement will still have a slight film of black ice on it.
And don’t think that walking on the grass will keep you from falling, either.
Grass can be wet and slippery after a light, wet snow. I know – I’ve skidded a foot or two on snowy grass before.
