Cold weather can be tough on everyone, but it is particularly tough for the older population.
The snow looks pretty, but winter can be a scary season due to increased chances of falling on snow or ice.
But there are a few things you can do to help prevent falls besides being homebound or packing up and moving to warmer climate.
Footwear
Take a moment to look at your shoes and boots.
Are they worn smooth? If you can answer "yes" to this question, then it is time to purchase a new pair.
Shoes with better traction will grip the ground better; you might want to avoid dress shoes as they tend to be quite slippery.
Remember to wear proper foot wear for the winter, which should include winter boots or similar winter shoes.
Railing Check
If you have stairs with a railing leading up to the entrance of your home, have your railing checked to make sure it is sturdy.
You may ask yourself this question would it hold you if you were to slip? Could the railing catch you?
Shovel and Salt
Keep your shovel and salt in your home so it is available for you to use. What good is your shovel and salt when it is in your garage away from your home and you have to walk through the snow and ice to get to them?
Cellphone or Emergency Response System
Yes, the older population should have and carry a cellphone. If you do not have a cellphone you may want to consider getting an emergency response system installed. One may slip and fall; it can sometimes be difficult in getting back up. Carrying your cellphone or wearing an emergency response system personal help button, can give you peace of mind, knowing that you can call for assistance.
Modification of Cane
If you need a cane to assist you with walking, you can modify your cane by adding a metal grip to the bottom of your cane. The metal grip will help increase stability. In addition, you may want to take a look at the handle grip. If it is worn, take a moment to replace it, this will help you maintain your balance especially if you walk on patches of snow or ice.
Get Help
The weather can change in a matter of a few minutes. If you are walking out of a restaurant, shopping mall, church, etc. and the parking lot has turned into an ice rink, you should ask for a steady arm to help guide you. This could be a friend, a family member, employee or even a passerby walking in your direction. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
What's your plan?
During the winter months you need to think about where you are going and ask yourself, "If I were to fall, what would I do? Did I remember my cellphone? If I'm close to my home, do I have my personal emergency response help button on me?"
Slow Down
When running behind scheduled you may end up hurrying and sometimes pushing the limits of what you can handle. Allow extra time getting to your appointments, especially in inclement weather. If you are a little late it's better than rushing and causing a fall and a potentially serious injury.
Leg Strengthening
What can you do to help strengthen your leg muscles so you can catch yourself before you hit the ground? Exercising your leg muscles regularly should be done to keep them strong.
A few simple exercises you can do help strengthen your leg muscles would be to walk up and down the stairs repeatedly and/or getting up out of a chair. The best thing to strengthen your legs is use them other wise you will loose them.
Remember falls can affect seniors in many ways. If a senior falls and is injured, this can limit their confidence and ability to live independently.
My hope for each senior after reviewing these winter safety tips is that they are able to reduce if not avoid their chances of any falls.
Wayne L. Shepard is director of the Delaware County Office for the Aging. 'Senior Scene' columns can be found at www.thedailystar.com/seniorscene.
Senior scene
From the Office: Take steps to make wintertime falls less likely
- Senior scene
-
-
From the office: Celebrate spring by making sure all your plans are in place
By Nancy Dingee At last, I think we can finally say that spring is here!
-
Looking Back: Good times could be found on the beach yesterday and today
By Elaine Kniskern Sometimes we just need a change of pace and scenery with a little vacation or a simple getaway weekend.
-
Social Security: Initiatives help some who need benefits get them faster
By Tracey Weaver May is National ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord.
-
As Time Goes By: Sing it with me: 'M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E' in 2012
By Henry Geerken I just love election years. Never have so many done so little for so much money. (Isn't it a shame that the gravy train passed us by?)
-
From the Office: Medicare encourages preventive health care with visits
Bt Wayne L. Shepard By the time we become eligible for Medicare, most of us have learned that change is constant and inevitable.
-
Senior Scene: Crash showed determination pays off for small-business owners
By Elaine Kniskern I guess we all have "tales to tell" in a lifetime _ that's if we dare too, for there can be legal repercussions. So I will be careful.
-
Social Security: Divorce doesn't necessarily mean end to ex's Social Security benefits
Here's a quiz for you.
-
As Time Goes By: Find a slogan and raise your taxes; you can pick a winner
By Henry Geerken Have you been paying attention to the "town meetings" that have been held in preparation for the big election less than a year from now?
-
From the Office: Much you need to know about Medicare can be found online
By Frances Wright Medicare and all its different parts can be extremely confusing.
-
Looking Back: Freedom to speak your mind important for children, too
By Elaine Kniskern We are so fortunate in this country with our many freedoms.
-
Social Security: Don't wait on paperwork to file for disability benefits
Disability is something most people do not like to think about. But if you're not able to work because you have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, you may be able to get Social Security disability benefits. Here's what you need to know.
-
As Time Goes By: The bug confused me, got me and refused to let me go
By Henry F. Geerken I got sick.
-
From the office: Needs are great, help is plentiful for a long time after a disaster
By Nancy Dingee During the last of week of August and first week of September, our picturesque rural county was ravaged by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
-
Looking Back: Like today, role models of yesteryear offered good, bad examples
By Elaine Kniskern Years ago there was an expression among the younger generation. I haven't heard it in many a year: The expression was about being a "party-pooper" and certainly no young person, or even the older folks, wanted to have that label. Perhaps another term that was used was a "wet-blanket." No popularity contest was won when a person was in those categories. and certainly no invites for social functions would be forth coming.
-
Social Security: It's not too late to sign up for Part B
By Tracey L. Weaver If you didn't sign up for Medicare Part B medical insurance when you first became eligible for Medicare, you now have an opportunity to apply -- but you only have a little over a month to get signed up.
-
As Time Goes By: For eons, inventors have found gold dealing with people's teeth
By Henry F. Geerken Picture if you will, way back in time, a mountainous cliff with openings called "caves." In one cave were a caveman and a cavewoman, (what else?) sitting by a fire eating chunks of meat.
-
Looking Back: We got a chance to see the greener grass on the other side
By Elaine Kniskern People seem never to be satisfied with what they have in life. There is always better and bigger, or perhaps it's "the grass that looks greener on the other side of the fence."
-
Social Security: Make your New Year's resolutions be about the future
Happy 2012 from Social Security! With the arrival of the new year, many people are putting together lists of goals and resolutions. Here are some new year's resolutions that you may find worth keeping:
-
As Time Goes By: Losing the keys to memory, one sip at a time
By Henry F. Geerken As you age, there will come an eventful day when you will forget something.
-
From the office: Celebrate spring by making sure all your plans are in place
