How to Prevent Winter Slip and Falls

Slipping and falling is one of the leading causes of injuries for seniors. Icy and cold conditions make winter the highest risk time for these types of accidents.

As a Caregiver taking an elderly person out during the winter months, fall prevention should be your main focus. 70% of serious injuries that require a trip to the emergency room happen within 30 yards of your home or property. 

Fortunately, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent these types of injuries.

• Simply stay focused. This means staying focused on the task at hand and that is keeping your client or loved one safe. It sounds simple but staying in the moment and not being distracted is the best way to prevent falls. Dropping your guard or letting yourself be distracted puts the person you’re helping at risk.

• Be aware. Another one that sounds simple but is very important. This means awareness of your surroundings, such as the route you must take to get to the car or the building entrance. It’s easy to get into trouble if you don’t look ahead and get around a corner and find an obstacle such as stairs, rough terrain, or a crowded space. This is a good strategy for everyday use but especially during winter when snow banks, ice patches, and puddles can become serious obstacles for you and an elderly person. If you’re at a home, make sure that you or someone responsible has taken the proper steps to reduce risk such as shoveling clear paths and adequate salting.

• Go slow. This goes without saying when working with the elderly but during slippery conditions it is even more important. Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going and don’t be afraid to be late during icy conditions. Being late for an appointment or missing the start of something is always better than a trip to the emergency room.

• Finally, don’t be afraid to say No. Sometimes during wintery conditions, it is just too risky to go certain places. As a caregiver you are responsible for their safety, don’t let yourself be pressured into doing something or going somewhere if you’re not comfortable that you can keep them safe and prevent a fall.

Not all falls can be prevented but you can take steps to reduce the risk especially during the cold icy winter months. Nothing feels worse than failing to keep someone safe who trusted you to do so.