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- When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and falls in ice and snow. Like most things in life, it is better to be prepared. Here are a few precautions everyone should take, especially older adults, during the winter.
www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-winter-safety-older-adultsTip Sheet: Winter Safety for Older Adults | HealthInAging.org
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Older adults have a higher chance of being affected by cold weather. Changes that come with aging can make it harder for older adults to be aware of their body becoming too cold, which can turn into a dangerous health issue quickly.
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite
- Injury While Shoveling Snow
- Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Accidents While Driving
Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops to a dangerous level. Your body temperature can drop when you are out in the cold for an extended time because it begins to lose heat quickly. Older adults are at an increased risk of hypothermia due to changes that happen to your body with aging. Warning Signs:cold skin that is pale or ashy; feel...
Frostbite occurs when your body experiences damage to the skin that can go all the way down to the bone. Not surprisingly, extreme cold can cause frostbite. It is most likely to occur on body parts farthest away from your heart. Common places include your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. In severe cases, frostbite can result in loss of ...
It’s one of the evils of winter – snow shoveling. If you choose to shovel, take some precautions. Remember, when it’s cold outside, your heart works double time to keep you warm. Strenuous activities like shoveling snow may put too much strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. Shoveling can also be dangerous if you have problems ...
During the winter months, it is common to use the fireplace or other heating sources, such as natural gas, kerosene, and other fuels. Unless fireplaces, wood and gas stoves and gas appliances are properly vented, cleaned, and used, they can leak dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide—a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell. These and other applianc...
Adults 65 and older are involved in more car crashes per mile driven than those in nearly all other age groups. Winter is an especially important time to be vigilant when driving because road conditions and weather may not be optimal.
When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and falls in ice and snow. Like most things in life, it is better to be prepared. Here are a few precautions everyone should take, especially older adults, during the winter. Frostbite
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- Limit how much you use space heaters. The allure of a space heater can be hard to resist. But these devices are the cause of the majority of fatal house fires, and people age 65 and over are 2.5 times more likely to die in a home fire.1.
- Wear safe shoes. Broken hips are common among older adults and can lead to more serious health complications. Seniors should wear shoes with non-skid soles that offer the necessary amount of traction for winter conditions.
- Keep your kitchen stocked. A winter storm can make it hard to get to the grocery store, and it could even prevent meals from being delivered to your home.
- Keep an emergency kit. It’s a good idea to keep a winter emergency kit on hand in case a power outage causes you to lose heat or lights. Some things to keep in your kit include
- Layer Up. As age causes your blood circulation to lessen, you feel the cold far more readily than those around you who are younger. That calls for dressing for the weather more conscientiously than you maybe used to in years past.
- Stay Hydrated. Many of us think about hydration the most in the summer when the harsh sun leaves us parched. That said, you can become dehydrated any time of year, including winter.
- Plan Activities For Earlier In The Day. One of the hardest parts of winter for many people is the reduced daylight hours. It can get dark before 5 o’ clock, especially during the earlier days of the winterr season.
- Learn To Walk On Ice. Being conscientious and alert when you go out will do you worlds of good for avoiding bone-fracturing or breaking slips and falls.
While finding senior care to assist older adults on a regular basis can help keep them safe during any season, the following senior safety tips for winter can be helpful for preventing common cold weather dangers to older adults. 1. Avoid slipping on ice. Icy, snowy roads and sidewalks make it easy to slip and fall.
Jan 15, 2023 · Consumer Reports offers outdoor winter safety tips for older adults. Winter weather can mean a number of hazards, from slips and falls to heart attacks.
