Nurses provide winter safety tips

This season’s frigid air and long-lasting snow challenges all ages, but poses a greater threat to older people whose falls often result in trips to the emergency room.

Area nurses weigh in on weather-related hazards among the older population and offer practical safety tips.

“A large portion of our patients are elderly,” said Kate Walden, RN, Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan. “The weather’s so bad, they aren’t going out at all. They stay inside.”

Walden, Merriam, Kan. said extreme conditions will keep older people inside, but when the weather is questionable or borderline hazardous, they venture outside and walk or drive. Many accidents occur during activities that seem innocuous, like walking from the car to a restaurant or driving to the grocery store.

Walden listed snowy or icy pavement, stepping out on ice that appears to be water, and driving on slick roads as common hazards among the aged population.

“They may not be able to see the patch of ice on the road or be able to react as quickly,” she said.

Walden said in today’s economy, some elderly drivers are not able to replace bald tires, which makes slick roads more dangerous. Others may not be able to spend money on outdoor footwear or boots with rugged tread.

Walden advises elderly people stay fit by joining gyms, walking, or taking advantage of activities like water aerobics at retirement communities.

“Stay active,” she said. “You have better balance if you stay active and are less likely to fall. It’s easier and quicker recovery if you do fall.”

Walden said older people also remain more at risk for upper respiratory infection during cold months because they stay indoors more and breath dry air.

“The air is dry with more people in close proximity,” she said. “They’re more likely to get pneumonia because they’re less active. Use humidifiers. That’s an easy fix.”

Mary Olen, Lenexa, Kan., RN, Menorah Medical Center, said common injuries from falls include hip and arm fractures and head injuries. She said good-fitting shoes with traction and de-icing materials help prevent falls.

“Make sure to keep assisted devices handy,” she said. “If you have to go out, make sure you can contact someone.”

She said to keep walkways clean of clutter, make sure railings are secure, and slow down.

“Take it slow,” she said. “Take small steps. You’re more conscious of what you’re doing.”

Sister Margaret Vincent, RN, has worked 14 years in the senior clinic at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo.

“We have seen an influx of orthopedic doctors here,” she said. “Five to six orthopedics at a time because of ice and snow (injuries).”

Vincent said seniors fall on snow and ice during daily activities like picking up the morning newspaper.

“They want to maintain their independence,” she said. “We don’t want to take that away from them, but there’s a safety factor.

Vincent said injuries from falls cause broken hips and knees and fractured ankle and arms. Healing takes anywhere from six to eight weeks, then weeks of rehabilitation.

She said patients want an instant cure.

“It all takes time,” she said.

Cheryl Phillips, RN and director of the Emergency Room, Liberty Hospital, Liberty, Mo. calls winter ‘slip and fall weather.’

“We are seeing an increase in those,” she said.

She said older people are more at risk for injuries during slip and fall weather.

“They are more likely to have a fracture if they fall because they are more fragile,” she said.

Philips said sometimes older people who fall, experience pain and wait for days to call their doctor, thinking the pain will go away.

“They should seek advice from their doctor,” she said.

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