Preventing Falls in the Elderly During the Winter

With the winter approaching quickly, it is essential to help protect the senior citizens that you are taking care of. Preventing falls in the elderly during winter is one of the many things that caregivers worry about. However, when it comes to their safety, here are some tips for helping your loved one.

Home Care Services Mason OH - Preventing Falls in the Elderly During the Winter

Home Care Services Mason OH – Preventing Falls in the Elderly During the Winter

Keep Them Active

Even in the winter, it is important that your loved one stays active. If they aren’t going to move around, they will become weaker. This increases their risk of falls. Make sure your loved one has an exercise routine they stick to. It can be light exercises, however, they should do it regularly.

Proper Footwear

Another tip for preventing falls in the elderly during the winter is to make sure they are wearing proper footwear. There are spikes you can get for the bottom of their boots that grip into the snow and ice. These are helpful in preventing falls.

Listening to One’s Body

Make sure you ask your loved one how they are feeling before taking them outdoors in the winter. For instance, if their knees or hips are flaring up with pain, they probably shouldn’t be spending much time outdoors. This can greatly increase the risk of falling.

Stay Inside

If in any doubt that your loved one might fall, keep them indoors. For instance, if you just had a snowstorm and there is a lot of ice outdoors, it would probably be best to keep your loved one inside.

Be Cautious

No matter where you take your loved one during the winter, always be cautious of your surroundings. Just because you don’t see any ice, doesn’t mean there isn’t any ice underneath the snow. Be cautious and always make sure they are wearing the appropriate footwear.

Additional Assistance

You can always help your loved one to prevent falls during the winter by getting them additional assistance such as a walker, cane, or other mobility assistance.

Get Extra Help

If you can’t always be with your loved one during the winter, it can be helpful to get extra assistance. You can hire home care services providers to take your loved one to their doctor’s appointments, get them outdoors for fresh air, or to take them to any social events. Home care services providers are used to keeping senior citizens safe, so you can trust them with your loved one.

Preventing falls in the elderly during the winter may seem tough. However, as you have read, there are precautions you can take to keep your loved one safe. If you follow the tips mentioned above, you can help to lower the risk of your loved one falling this winter.

Source:  https://americanbonehealth.org/fall-prevention/tips-to-prevent-falls-during-winter-months/

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Home Care Services in Mason OH, please contact the caring staff at Queen City Elder Care today. Serving Cincinnati and Surrounding Communities. Call Us Today (513) 510-4410.

Mark & Michele Vollmer, Co-Owners, Managing Partners
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