Wintertime and the holiday season are now in full effect. Every street looks different with the snowcapped trees and blistering winds and there is this shared feeling of comfort that everyone enjoys during the winter season. However, this beautiful time does have one slight drawback and that is the fact that the winters are very dangerous for the elderly. Cold weather and slick roads and sidewalks can cause many injuries and illnesses for seniors. But this shouldn’t mean they can’t go outside and enjoy this beautiful season. To make sure that every senior out there enjoys this winter season, we have compiled a list of helpful winter safety tips to help prevent common hazards among seniors this winter.
Watch Your Step
The first and one of the most important winter safety tips which every senior citizen should consider is keeping a shrewd eye out for icy steps and pavements. This is one of the most dangerous aspects of the winters as even walking becomes dangerous. Falls are already the leading cause of deaths and injuries among seniors such as broken bones, head trauma, and other major injuries. This is exactly why every senior should make sure that they do not walk dangerous paths. When the temperature drops, the risk factor increases so please try your level best to keep all of you pathways clear of snow. Furthermore, make sure you’re wearing shoes with exceptional traction. When you re-enter your home, take your shoes off before you come in as tracking snow into your home can create slippery conditions inside.
Keep Warm and Cozy
The winter season isn’t just beautiful snow and chilly temperatures. Most days the winds will be harsh and intense, and due to this, many people tend to fall ill. Cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. This applies to every age group, but seniors hold more risk in this aspect. If you don’t take care of yourself and stay warm, then there is a very high chance that you will get sick, leading to more severe illnesses. For seniors, we would recommend that they spend time outdoors only during the warmest part of the day and to keep your home thermometer at a comfortable temperature (at least 68°) at all times. Furthermore, when you do go outside, make sure to the appropriate clothing. Do not underestimate how cold it is, it’s better to be overprepared than sick.
Don’t Strain Yourself
Another crucial winter safety tip that every senior should consider during the winters is to keep all of their strenuous activities down to a bare minimum. We understand that with this season comes a lot of housework that won’t do itself. But you need to remember your body isn’t what it used to be. Overstraining your body is an even bigger risk during the winter season as the cold makes people weak. If you must go outside and doing strenuous activities, make sure you’re pace yourself and periodically go back inside to warm up.
Finally we would also recommend that every elderly keep in touch with their doctors during the winters. The intense cold makes our immune system weak and this is exactly why so many people fall ill during the winters! We really hope that all of our safety tips help all the elderly out there enjoy the holiday season as they deserve this more than anything. Is there anything we missed? Let us know on our Facebook page.
