Caring for the Elderly: Fall Risk: Part 1

Here in New England, fall is in full swing. We have beautiful fall foliage, chilly mornings and nights, and the days are getting shorter and shorter. While all of these are welcome parts of fall, the falling leaves, the changes in temperature, and the dwindling daylight can pose some safety hazards for the elderly.

Slippery Leaves 
The mild fall weather is a great opportunity to be outside, and many elderly take advantage of this by going on walks. However, the leaves on the ground can pose a serious fall risk. These dry leaves can absorb an incredibly large amount of water, and this makes them extremely slippery.

Please advise any of your elderly loved ones to practice caution while walking on a leaf covered sidewalk:

• Walk slowly over leaf covered areas 
• Always wear sneakers while walking to increase traction 
• If you are walking with an elderly loved one, support them by the arm while walking across any leaf covered areas 

Frost
The cold mornings and evenings create a second hazard: frost. The warm afternoon temperatures can quickly drop, and any condensation or moisture that is on the ground will turn into frost. This can be somewhat unexpected in months like September and October, but that is exactly why it is so dangerous. The elderly can avoid falls by taking several precautions:

• Walk slowly on the sidewalk 
• Avoid shaded areas as these are more likely to have frost 
• Try walking later in the day, as most of the frost is melted by noon 

Shorter days

Lastly, the shorter days can be a hazard to the elderly who may have difficulty seeing at night. Remember to remind your elderly loved ones about the time change. In addition to that, you can encourage them to alter their daily schedule by an hour or two, and advise them to plan all of their errands and appointments for the afternoon. That way, they can avoid being on the road after dark.

For the elderly, falls are incredibly dangerous. The elderly are at a much higher risk for suffering a broken bone or serious injury as the result of a fall. Furthermore, hospital stays can lead to an increased risk of pneumonia, cognitive decline, and other diseases. This season, please be sure to keep your elderly loved one safe from harm.