Preventing Falls During Colder Months

The cold winter months are upon us, and that means paying closer attention to falls prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 3 million older adults are treated for falls in emergency departments across the country each year. More than 1 million patients are hospitalized as a result of these falls.

Felicia Cruz, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, RN-BC, geriatric clinical nurse specialist at Bayhealth says planning is crucial when it comes to falls prevention. “There are lots of simple steps we can all take to improve safety in and around our homes.”

Clear line of sight

First and foremost, it’s important that older adults can see where they are going. The colder months can sometimes lead to an issue with glasses fogging, especially when wearing a facemask.

“It’s important for everyone to take the time to clean their glasses whenever they are fogged to maintain a clear line of sight at all times,” said Cruz. “I’ve found that snugly securing the nose area of a mask prevents air leaks, which helps minimize fogging.”

Doctor visits

It’s also important for older adults to make sure their vision and hearing screenings as well as medications are up to date.

“Typically, we encourage our older population to maintain their schedules for doctors’ appointments,” said Cruz. “The great thing is many offices are now using telehealth and other ways to stay connected with their patients during inclement winter weather. Something like a medication review could be done virtually to help protect vulnerable individuals.”

Ground safety

All individuals, including older adults, need to be especially aware of where they’re walking. “In the winter, be mindful that the walkways and roads may be icy, so take extra precaution when parking. Many times, people don’t realize they’ve parked on an icy patch and experience a fall while trying to get out of their vehicle,” added Cruz.

Another consideration is footwear and indoor clutter. The best shoes to wear to prevent falls are those with rubber soles. They will provide the most grip. Additionally, if there are any grandparents doing double duty right now helping with childcare, make sure to check for clutter on the floor. Toys and other small objects could easily cause a fall. It’s important that walkways remain clear.

Distracted walking

While it sounds silly, multi-tasking while walking is a big culprit that causes falls.

“You should always have both of your arms available whenever walking to help establish and maintain your balance. That means you should never be walking while looking at your phone. It also means you shouldn’t be carrying a lot while walking either,” said Cruz.

Virtual resources

There are many resources available for older adults to help with falls prevention. The National Institute of Aging has many online resources that can be found here.

“Keeping yourself safely active can help prevent injuries,” said Cruz. “Even in the colder months, it’s important to get outside when you can and get some fresh air. When that’s not an option virtual resources are a great alternative.”