How to prevent falls in winter for the elderly

  Autumn and winter are coming, the sky is cold, all the trees are sluggish, the wind with rain and snow will come unexpectedly, although it is said that the silver dressing, snow omen, but for people living and working in the city this not only brings difficulties in travel, but also increases the risk of injury and damage due to falls.  Although falls are accidents, they are more common in older people than in younger people. As we age, our chances of falling increase, with nearly one-third of seniors at age 65 and nearly 40 percent at age 80 at risk of falling.  As we age, all of our body systems, including our sensory organs, undergo “normal” degeneration. Declining vision, the ability to see and focus, the ability to adjust to changes in light, and the ability to see are all affected, reducing the ability to detect danger and avoid falls. Hearing loss, resulting in slow judgment of the surrounding environment. Weakened muscle strength and coordination of the lower extremities, joint degeneration with pain, stiffness, and unfavorable movement, resulting in unstable walking. Osteoporosis, decreased bone strength, increased brittleness and susceptibility to fracture. Arteriosclerosis with cardiovascular disease, insufficient blood supply to the brain, central and peripheral neuropathy, slowed reaction, unstable gait, dizziness, hypertension, heart disease, all may increase the risk of falls. The elderly are more likely to suffer from multiple diseases and take a variety of medications. The weakened metabolism of the body and the prolonged elimination time of drugs lead to accumulation of drugs in the body, increasing their toxic side effects and causing damage to the nervous system. The elderly are more prone to sleep disorders and have an increased chance of taking hypnotics and sedatives, the side effects of which can lead to balance disorders, dizziness, instability, and a greater tendency to fall. Patients who overdose on blood pressure lowering medications and postural hypotension may experience cerebral ischemia leading to fainting and falls.  Falls are generally classified as slips, trips and falls. Slip and fall is mostly caused by slippery ground and little friction between the sole and the ground, resulting in a person falling backward; trip and fall is caused by a person’s foot accidentally hitting an obstacle or losing his footing and falling forward. Falls are mostly caused by loss of balance. No matter slip, trip or fall may cause head and spine injury, fracture, joint dislocation, soft tissue contusion and strain. Older people, due to their slow reaction, poor coordination and lack of self-protection, coupled with osteoporosis, especially in older women, falls may result in serious injuries, which may be life-threatening in severe cases.  Many conditions may cause falls, such as icy roads, wet and slippery, oil stains, smooth floors or loose carpets, uneven surfaces, clutter, electrical wires, drawers that are opened and not retrieved, and insufficient light. Loose sandy ground, moving floor tiles, uneven pavement may make it difficult for you to walk. Most falls can be avoided if we are vigilant and careful.  There are some simple ways to reduce the chance of slipping and falling, such as: (1) placing absorbent foot mats at the door during rain or snow. (Note: unsecured foot mats may themselves be a slipping factor.)  (2) timely drying of water on the ground. Place foot mats in places where water is likely to splash.  (3) Walk with your toes slightly outward so that your weight is always underneath you.  (4) Walk slowly with small steps and keep your eyes on the road.  (5) Don’t overtake close roads and don’t rush those few minutes.  (6) Use your feet to test the possible danger of slipping.  (7) out of the foot after moving quickly so that the center of gravity under the foot.  (8) Try to use handrails or fixed objects to maintain balance.  In winter, even if the snow and ice on the road and pavement have been cleared, it is still inevitable to encounter slippery places. Many injuries during cold weather are due to falls on icy roads, especially imperceptible black ice. At this time of travel, we must be careful.  (9) Wear warm clothes and non-slip shoes (avoid plastic, leather soles and high heels).  It is important to keep warm as well as keep an eye on your surroundings. Wear a bright colored scarf or reflective clothing so that motorists can see you. Do not wear anything that covers your eyes or ears to avoid danger.  (10) A heavy backpack can affect your balance. Try not to carry unnecessary things in your hands or in your pockets, freeing up your hands and arms to better maintain your balance.  (11) When entering a house, try to dust off the snow and water from your shoes.  (12) Be careful when getting in and out of a car, try to hold on to the door and handrails, and don’t jump.  (13) Be extra careful when walking on poorly lit surfaces or stairs, and bring your own flashlight if necessary.  (13) If you fall, try to protect the vulnerable parts of the body, such as the head, neck and lower back. To fall when available arms to slow the impact of the fall. If you fall backwards, tuck your chin in to avoid serious head injuries.  What should I do if I fall? Don’t panic and calm yourself down. Roll over and change to a crawling position with your abdomen on the ground. At home, you can crawl to a fixed piece of furniture, such as a sofa. Try to lift your body on your knees and sit on the sofa with your arms and legs supporting your body. Outside, look for support or ask for help from passersby. If the injury is too severe to move, be sure to stay warm and use a cell phone or ask someone to contact 120 for emergency assistance.  (14) Avoid unnecessary going out in rain or snow for the elderly. A few days of inactivity is much smaller than the serious consequences of a fall, and it is better to be safe than sorry.