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Preventing Wintertime Falls

While toddlers can fall down and bounce back up with a giggle and smile, the bones in older adults require a little more care. "As the bones age, they can become weak, making the danger of a fall more serious for senior citizens," says Tom Hicks, director of the Botsford Continuing Health Center Dementia Program.

"Several factors can contribute to the increased risk of falling," notes Hicks. "Besides the usual winter snow and ice, weakened eyesight and orthostatic hypotension, which is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure when an individual rises quickly from a sitting or laying position, often contribute to falling incidents."

To prevent falls from occurring, Hicks suggests:

• Placing nonskid backing on rugs
• Placing non-slip mats or a bench in the bathtub
• Placing handrails next to the toilet and bathtub
• Providing adequate lighting
• Removing clutter
• Reducing the amount of furniture in rooms
• Limiting drinking before bedtime to reduce frequency of urination
• Wearing low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes
• Making sure driveways and sidewalks are shoveled and salted.

"If you are with someone who falls, ask the person to try to move his or her extremities and state their name, where they are and the year. Also, check for excessive bleeding," suggests Hicks. "If there is any pain when moving, dizziness or disorientation, call 911."