When winter arrives, it’s always fun to share stories of your cold-weather adventures. However, it’s also important to recognize the potential dangers that come with the season’s frosty temperatures, blustery winds, and its potential for ice and snow. Keeping a few winter safety tips for seniors in mind can help you minimize the risks.
Winter Safety Tips for Seniors
Living in a senior living community is a major advantage if you’re worried about winter safety. After all, the health and safety of the residents is a top priority for the community’s management and staff. If any winter precipitation arrives on your doorstep, they’ll take care of its removal. Most communities provide meal services and medication management services, so you won’t need to worry about stocking up before a storm. In fact, if something breaks due to winter weather, you can rely on the community’s assistance to sort it out. That offers incredible peace of mind. While living in a senior living community can take a lot of stress out of the winter season, there are still some winter safety tips for seniors that you should keep in mind.
Be Proactive About Preventing Falls
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 34,000 people who were 65 years of age or older died as a result of falls in 2019. That makes falls the leading cause of injury deaths for seniors. Unfortunately, winter weather can make surfaces even more treacherous. Being proactive about preventing falls while you’re traveling around during the winter months is essential. Thankfully, there are a number of steps that you can take:
- Take your time. Rushing increases the risk of a stumble, so don’t hurry. Look where you’re going, and choose your path carefully.
- Be mindful of ice. Paths that appear wet or snowy may actually be icy.
- Wear proper footwear. Choose shoes that fit well and stay on your feet. Look for ones with rubber soles so that you’ll have good traction.
- Ensure that any stability aid has a good grip. For example, if you use a cane, check that its rubber tip is in good repair.
- Watch out for damp floors. When snow and ice are tracked inside and melt, the moisture left behind can create a slipping hazard near entrances and in hallways.
Be Alert to Hypothermia Risks
When the body’s temperature drops dangerously low, hypothermia sets in. Seniors can be particularly vulnerable, so it’s vital that you watch out for any potential red flags of this condition. Hypothermia is a medical emergency, so if you suspect that you or someone else is hypothermic, you should call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Warning signs of hypothermia include excessive shivering, slurred speech, clumsiness, drowsiness, extreme fatigue, slowed breathing or heart rate, and unusual confusion. What can you do to prevent hypothermia? Don’t dawdle outside for long periods when it is really cold. If you do need to be outside, make sure that you’re dressed appropriately for the weather, and stay dry. When you’re inside, keep the heat set to at least 65 degrees. Also, dress in layers. This helps your body stay warm and comfortable.
Keep in Touch
Many people retreat during the winter months. Some simply relish a break after the excitement of the holidays. Others prefer to limit travel while the days are shorter and the weather is colder. As a result, there may be fewer social activities. This isolation is problematic because being engaged socially provides a mood boost and helps support healthy cognitive function. Again, residents of senior living communities have an advantage. These communities tend to maintain their own calendars of events and activities. Capitalizing on these opportunities can be helpful. You may also want to make it a point to reach out periodically to friends and family members so that you can keep in touch with them during these chilly winter months. Even if you can’t gather in person, a phone call or Zoom meeting can help lift everyone’s spirits.