The days are getting shorter, the hours of sunshine fewer, and moods are deteriorating. Statistics show that the number of seriously injured people due to falls, especially among those over 70, increases sharply in the winter months. Seniors face numerous challenges in winter. Icy or leaf-covered sidewalks and a lower sun increase the risk of falls and injuries. Those who follow a few tips and tricks in their daily lives can effectively protect themselves from falls even in the cold and dark season.
Increasing risk of falling: Caution on black ice!
Icy sidewalks pose a serious risk of an unfortunate fall, which can result in painful bruises and bone fractures. Hip and wrist fractures, lacerations, and abrasions are not uncommon and are a harsh reality for seniors in winter.
In winter, the unsteadiness of older people's gait is exacerbated. In combination with delayed reflexes, this is a particularly tricky matter. In the event of a fall, older people cannot adequately support themselves and fall unhindered to the ground. Their general condition is often frail even before the fall, and the injuries are consequently particularly severe.
Furthermore, the healing process in old age can be accompanied by major complications. Generally, recovery takes significantly longer than in younger people. After a fall, self-confidence often wanes and insecurity spreads. Loss of independence is not infrequently the result of a fall. For this reason, you should pay attention to some of the following recommendations to reduce your risk of falling in winter and maintain your independence for as long as possible.
Safe through winter with the right footwear!
Regular exercise keeps the musculoskeletal system active and ensures greater mobility – which is not so easy for seniors in the cold season. To enable you to take walks or pursue your hobbies despite winter hazards, you should definitely ensure you wear sturdy and slip-resistant footwear before leaving the house.
Slip-resistant soles and a soft inner footbed are essential in winter!
A soft footbed guarantees a secure grip and protects against dangerous falls, especially in winter. You should also pay attention to the right tread – not only for car tires, but also for your shoes! So-called spikes can help provide a secure grip on black ice.
Adopt the penguin walk !
In addition to the right tread, the right gait is also important! Short steps and a moderate pace – the so-called penguin walk can significantly reduce the risk of falling. With the penguin walk, the body's center of gravity is aligned over the stepping leg, the foot lands with the entire sole and points slightly outward. The posture is slightly tilted forward and provides additional stability. The risk of losing balance on slippery sidewalks and falling is significantly reduced.
Good vision in winter – an important safety aspect
The onset of the cold season is a good opportunity to visit the optician. Eyesight can vary greatly, especially with pre-existing conditions, and contribute to the risk of falling. You should take day-dependent fluctuations in vision seriously and adjust your daily routine accordingly.
It's time to pay a visit to the optician.
Aids for more safety
We recommend you take additional measures to prevent falls. Walking aids can prove particularly helpful and provide more support in life. With a walking stick, you are more stable on the go. In addition, walking sticks relieve painful legs, for example, in cases of hip or knee osteoarthritis. Caution: a walking stick placed at an angle increases the risk of falling. It is important to place the walking stick as vertically and close to the body as possible. For this, it is best to get information in a specialist store, because only when used correctly can it provide the desired benefit.
Rollators provide more safety in winter. Don't forget the safety check!
If you need a little more support, you should use a rollator. In the dark season, it is particularly important that people with rollators are also easily seen. Reflectors or reflective tapes can be attached to the rollator or clothing to provide greater visibility. For rollators to provide a secure grip even in winter, the tires are quite important. Some models can also be equipped with winter tires and provide more grip on slippery sidewalks. Many medical supply stores offer free safety checks in winter – take advantage of these offers.
Sometimes, it's best to just stay home!
Listen to your gut feeling. If the weather outside is very bad, then stay at home. If possible, reschedule appointments or ask someone to run errands for you. You should not unnecessarily expose yourself to the risk of a fall.
Stay fit through winter with healthy eating!
A balanced diet makes an important contribution to reducing the risk of falling.
Ensure an adequate intake of vitamin D! The lack of sunlight also becomes noticeable in our bodies through a vitamin D deficiency. This is important for teeth and bones, but is also suitable for fall prevention.
Supplementation with vitamin D helps to reduce the risk of falls caused by muscle weakness and unstable posture. According to the Robert Koch Institute, people who rarely spend time outdoors are particularly at risk of vitamin D deficiency. However, older people are also generally at risk, as the body's own production of vitamin D decreases with age. Before taking dietary supplements, it is important to talk to your doctor to rule out possible interactions with other medications. Try to consume enough fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin D daily.
These foods are rich in Vitamin D.
With age, the sensation of thirst often diminishes, and people forget to drink enough. Few people achieve the recommended daily intake of 1.3 liters. The resulting fluid deficiency can impair mental performance. States of confusion, lack of concentration, and reduced perception increase the risk of falls! Especially in the cold season, with low temperatures and dry air, the body loses more fluid.
Not every fall can be avoided, but the risk of falling can be significantly reduced! Did you know that 40% of falls can be prevented through preventive measures? Pay particular attention to the following points and you will be ready for the coming winter:
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Right clothing, shoes
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Penguin walk on black ice
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Correction of vision impairment
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Use of walking aids
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Balanced diet & adequate fluid intake
Another very important topic is the fear of falling, which many people experience daily. Especially if one has already experienced a fall in old age, the fear of further falls and injuries increases. Seniors who live alone are particularly at risk of not being able to call for help immediately after a fall.
The fear of falling and the fear of not receiving help in an emergency can lead to a downward spiral of avoidance behavior, reduced mobility, and thus muscle degradation. Self-confidence wanes and the risk of falling increases rapidly. The end of this sad development is often crowned by the loss of independence and possibly moving into a senior care facility. An emergency call system can counteract this fear!
For more safety in winter – Gardia Emergency Call Wristband
The innovative Gardia emergency call wristband with automatic fall detection provides a remedy here and significantly increases the safety and independence of seniors. In an emergency, you will be automatically connected to your loved ones or a professional emergency call center by pressing a button. Convince yourself and order your new emergency call system now. If you are not satisfied, you can return the Gardia emergency call wristband to us free of charge within 14 days and receive your money back.
