Winter can pose many obstacles to safe travel. Roads can be difficult to navigate; it gets dark earlier, and the cold can make it dangerous to go outside, even for a short time. But despite all of the obstacles, if you live in a northern climate, you know that you still have to brave the elements sometimes to get out and do the necessary things to live life in what can feel like the most inhospitable climate on the planet. Companion care at home can help.
Why Does the Risk of Falling Increase in the Winter
A bad fall can occur at any time of the year, but for seniors, the winter months can increase that risk, especially when trying to get around outside. Several factors increase the likelihood of falls. By first understanding them, you and your companion care at home provider can take steps to reduce the risk of your elderly loved one falling outside this winter.
Ice
Icy sidewalks, stairs, driveways, and roads all increase everyone’s risk of losing their footing while trying to walk across the slippery surface. It just takes one misstep, and feet can go flying out from under a person before they even realize what is happening.
Snow
Piles of snow create uneven walking surfaces, making your elderly loved one take steps around big piles or try to walk on top of them to get from one location to the next. You’ll often notice this obstacle when you park on the curb of a city street, and your loved one opens their door into a mound of snow that goes up their hip.
Darkness
In addition to cold and snow, winter brings darkness to each day much earlier than most people are ready to call it a day. While it might be light out when your loved one goes to that late afternoon appointment, by the time she’s done, the sun has set, and darkness has settled in. If an area is not well-lit, this can make it difficult for your elderly loved one to see where they are placing their feet.
Cold
While the cold doesn’t necessarily lead to more falling, it can contribute to the clothes worn to protect ourselves from the cold. Bulky boots, heavy coats, and smooth mittens can make it easier to lose footing and harder to self-correct when it does occur.
Four Easy Steps to Reduce the Risk of Falling for Your Loved One
- Keep on top of the weather and make sure you’ve got someone lined up to help maintain the walkways around your loved one’s home. Keep plenty of salt on hand to reduce ice, and have people ready to help after each snowfall.
- Make sure there’s plenty of lighting outside. A well-lit pathway will help your loved one know if there are any obstacles she needs to navigate.
- Proper fitting winter wear. Make sure boots all still have good treads, mittens and gloves should have gripping material on the palm and fingers, and hoods/hats/scarves do not obscure vision.
- Get help for your loved one from a companion care at home provider in bad weather. When the weather is bad, ask your companion care at home provider to help your loved one get the mail, clear the steps, and reduce the number of errands needed. A companion care at-home provider can reduce the risk of falling by providing a steady arm to lean on.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home in Garden City, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Collins, CO, today. Call (970) 829-0447
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Collins, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Fort Collins, Ault, Berthoud, Eaton, Evans, Fort Collins, Garden City, Greeley, Johnstown, Laporte, Loveland, Milliken, Nunn, Pierce, Wellington, Windsor and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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