Winter Fall Prevention Checklist
You’re on THIN ICE!
Here we are in January, and quite literally (depending on your geographic location) we are on ice. Falls are common on a normal day of the year and can be very serious for seniors and lead to broken bones, bruises and injuries resulting in a need for lengthy rehab or homecare.
What can caregivers and providers do to ensure safety for seniors and loved ones during the winter months?
As a caregiver, we look to reduce these potential risks and preparing for inclement weather is a good idea, if not a necessity. Healthcare industry providers note when the weather turns cold and wintry mixes begin, seniors over the age of 65 are at heightened risk for falls.
Here are our suggestions to consider in your winter fall prevention checklist:
Preserve physical activity while being indoors to ensure strength for when leaving the home.
Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk for falls. Don’t let the winter months get you down while being indoors. Establish a healthy exercise routine to keep and increase overall strength and balance. If you do not already have a routine, talk with physical therapists who can help establish a safe program.
Have eyes, ears and medications evaluated as needed.
Monitoring your hearing and eyesight as well as your medicine can decrease your chances for falling due to risk of side effects. Don’t let getting to the doctor's office slow you down. Optimize your healthcare experience and at least enlist a virtual doctor visit if you are not ready to leave the house in this winter mess.
Keep your hands free unless using assistive devices.
Don’t put your hands in your pockets to stay warm. Being prepared with gloves, needed assistive devices, and hands unobstructed demonstrates a readiness for your surroundings.
Ensure walkways and outdoor paths are clear.
This is recommended inside AND outside! Ice and wet patches are prevalent so make sure areas are salted and kept clear of debris.
Wear appropriate footwear.
It is all about traction whether you are inside or outside. Are your shoes winter appropriate? The wintry months should have us leaning toward function over fashion. Wearing shoes that fit well and provide traction are a must.
Light pathways both inside and outside for optimal vision.
Proper, well-lit spaces help to mitigate some eye-sight challenges and whether you are inside or outside, we recommend having appropriate lighting or motion sensors to keep everyone alert of their surroundings.
Be cautious and allow for extra time when preparing to leave the home.
Abrupt motions and speed can make for distractions and suboptimal walking practices. As we age, medication, anxiety, and chronic conditions pave a pathway toward increased risk for falls. Taking your time can reduce that risk!
Place a Mat of Life at the entrance or exit to a home to know and plan ahead when your senior or loved one is exiting!
Mat of Life is a wireless “smart” mat for bedside, doorway, or any other area requiring potential fall intervention that rolls away and can travel with you. A care team can be notified via text messaging when someone is planning to exit a designated space allowing for proper notification and intervention. It also integrates with a bulb holder that can easily be placed at the base of your lamp, ceiling light or other area to ensure sufficient light is always available from the first step.
You can learn more about fall prevention, the Mat of Life or talk with a Source of Life Technologies representative today.
From senior care fall strategies to online engagement and mobile app opportunities, healthcare shouldn’t be reactive - it should be proactive.
Doors have been opened to on-demand healthcare and it turns out the overwhelming majority of patients, physicians, families and therapists want to continue down that path. The decision to modernize your senior care strategies is a big one and doesn’t happen overnight. Talk to the Source of Life Technologies team for the guidance and direction you need to make the change in your organization or home.
