50+ Lifestyles

Walk Safe This Winter with These Tips

By Mike Mathews
Milestones Area Agency on Aging

Winter falls on the ice and snow are serious business for older Americans. A fall from which a child or young adult might bounce right back up may lead to broken bones, spinal cord injuries or even worse in an older adult.

According to the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, unintentional falling is the leading cause of nonfatal injury across all age groups above the age of 25. Compounding the risk of winter slips, trips, and falls is the temperature itself. When it is extremely cold out it tends to be human nature to move faster. When you combine the cold temperatures with crowded areas, including businesses, people are rushing to get in and out of everywhere quickly.

The CDC also reports that more than 800,000 people are hospitalized annually related to a slip and fall injury, such as a hip fracture or head injury. In fact, most brain injuries are caused by slips, trips, and falls. Older adults are more likely to fall in the winter or at any time of the year than are younger people, and are also at greater risk if they do experience a fall.

“This is a direct result of aging,” says Jeremy L. Fogelson, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester, Minnesota. “They are more likely to have an unsteady gait, and the bones are less strong and flexible. Also, depending on an elderly person’s physical state, sidewalks may not be tended to as much and icy conditions will build up.”

Despite the appearance that falling is a simple mechanism, older adults are more likely to incur serious injuries with a slip on the ice. For example, it’s plausible for an older adult who has recently suffered a fall and then notes new back or neck pain to have suffered a fracture or a serious injury, while in a younger person it’s likely a sprain, says Dr. Fogelson.

The likelihood of more serious injury due to a fall for older adults stems from several factors. Their brain blood vessels become more fragile, making them much easier to bleed with the force of a fall, says Dr. Fogelson. Also, bones are more brittle, so hip and arm fractures are common in falls with older adults.

When staying inside and waiting for bad weather to clear is not possible, practice the guidelines below to help keep you safe this winter.

• Avoid distractions from your phone and other hand held devices.
• Be sure that you are aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid shortcuts and snow covered paths. Always aim for cleared sidewalks and walkways.
• Use caution when stepping from one level to another, especially on stairs!
• Wear non-slip boots or footwear.
• Do the “Penguin Walk.” Bend slightly and walk flat footed. Keep your center of gravity over your feet as much as possible. Point your feet out slightly – well, like a penguin. Shuffle your feet and take short steps. Concentrate on keeping your balance.
• Keep your arms at your sides and hands out of your pockets.
• Take your time. Rushing will only put you in danger for a possible accident.

Milestones Area Agency on Aging offers Falls Prevention courses along with other wellness programs. To inquire about current programs, please call (855) 410-6222 or visit milestonesaaa.org.