Staying Steady this Winter - Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls in the Elderly and Vulnerable

Winter is my favourite time of the year. It’s filled with celebrations, festivities and New Year resolutions that we (sometimes) keep. However, as temperatures drop, the risk of falling increases as we are faced with cold weather, slippery floors, fallen leaves, ice and snow. ??

Out of those individuals who are 60 and over, roughly 30% of them will have a fall at least once a year, with the percentage rising as the age increases. A fall that a child may bounce back from, could spiral into more significant injuries in an older adult, as well as a loss of confidence.

We believe the colder weather shouldn’t be a reason for staying indoors and missing out on memories, so we’ve put together some simple tips to help you try and prevent any slips, trips or falls this winter.

??Clear Pathways

As the colder weather settles in, pathways up to and around your home can often end up coated with ice and water, making the surface difficult to walk on. Piles of leaves fallen from winter trees can also block drains and walkways, adding to the slip hazard. If you are able, we recommend removing as many trip hazards as possible from your walkways. If you struggle to do this alone, a neighbour, friend or family member should be able to assist, and if not, there are charities such as Helping Hands that will.

??The Right Footwear

It is imperative that you wear the right footwear during the winter, ideally you want shoes with a strong grip, and/or thick rubber soles to help stop the risk of slipping. If you or someone you care for suffers with health conditions that affect feet, such as diabetes and Parkinson’s, it is of the utmost importance that the feet are cared for, ensuring corns and calluses are treated, socks aren't heavily elasticated and the chosen footwear doesn’t restrict the blood flow in any way.

??Staying Hands-Free

Although it sounds simple, a big part of avoiding slips and trips during winter is keeping your hands out of your pockets, as you may need to react quickly to maintain balance and stay standing. Textured gloves are a really good way to combat this, as they can be waterproof, and the texture allows for a stronger grip on handrails and mobility aids.

??Remaining Active

Balance problems and muscle weakness can contribute towards falls. Simple activities, such as walking, can help older adults stay active and help improve their balance and strength. The more you or a loved one can move around, the better the energy and strength levels will be, often reducing the risk of falling by up to 50%. There are simple, at-home exercises that can be done to help. As well as these, exercises that don’t strain muscles too much like swimming, can also be a good way of improving strength and balance.

If movement is something that is found more difficult, mobility aids can help. These can come in the form of walkers and sticks, and can help with balance all year round. There are many mobility aid businesses out there that make this equipment easy to access, but you can also talk to your GP if you are considering a long term aid as they may put you in touch with a physiotherapist for further support.

??Personal Alarms

If you have concerns about what may happen if you or a loved one falls, there are personal alarm systems and tools that can be purchased to help, often referred to as “telecare”. For example, a bed or chair sensor can detect whether an individual has gotten up, and if they haven’t returned to bed within a reasonable time - if triggered, it can send alerts to carers, family or friends just in case. Personal alarms are usually buttons carried on the individual or placed around the house. These are helpful because if someone falls, they can press a button on a pendant or wall if they can’t reach a telephone, and the right help will be contacted immediately.

As we get older, lots of us may start to feel a bit unsteady on our feet, and become increasingly worried about falling. With support from those around you and these few simple tips, you can try and reduce the risk as much as possible, leading to a safer outside environment and ensuring elderly or at risk individuals aren’t missing out on making winter memories. Care can consist of anything you need it to, ensuring that you are supported in every area of your life. ?

Here at The SKA Group, we’re determined to make a difference to service users and care workers alike. We have various care vacancies available at the moment, so if you’re a passionate support worker, we’d love to hear from you! We have other articles with more tips and advice for the care sector available on our socials too, give them a read and don’t forget to get in touch if you’d like to make a difference too. ????