Long-Term Care

Tip of the week: Winter safety tips for seniors

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, January 17, 2008

Melted snow and ice can cause hazardous conditions for everyone, but especially for the elderly. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, one-third of all adults over age 65 fall each year.

 

To help prevent such accidents, an orthopedic surgeon in New York City specializing in fracture care of the elderly, James D. Capozzi, MD, a member of the Department of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, offers the following winter safety tips for seniors:

 

1. Keep all walkways and driveways free of snow and ice.

 

2. Modify canes with metal grips on the bottom for additional stability on slippery surfaces.

 

3. Improve lighting in high-traffic areas both inside and outside the facility.

 

4. Use a well-secured floor mat by the entrance door. Wipe all puddles immediately. Also, caution residents to be aware of any newly placed mats or rugs.

 

5. Cancel all non-emergency appointments during severe weather or storms.

 

6. Exercise whenever possible to maintain muscle strength, coordination, and balance.

 

7. Keep all eyeglass prescriptions up to date.

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