CPFT helps older people to stay safe this winter

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is urging residents to be especially careful while out and about on foot as forecasters warn the region is heading for a cold snap.

Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury in older people and the most common cause of accidental death of people over the age of 75 in the UK. The costs of falls to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough health economy is more than £32 million per year.

The Trust’s Falls Prevention Team  is  recommending some simple measures to help people stay safe and steady this winter

Jackie Riglin, Falls Prevention Clinical Lead at CPFT, said: “A fall can cause distress, embarrassment,  pain, and loss of confidence and independence.”

“We want older people to remain active and independent but our advice is also  to take care when it is cold to reduce the risk of a fall.”

Tips for staying steady, especially during winter are:

• Wear sturdy, well fitting suitable shoes outdoors
• Ensure steps and paths are clear before you walk. Be especially careful if you see wet pavements that could be iced over 
• If you feel unsteady avoid going out when icy
• Make sure rubber tips on the  end of sticks have a good tread – when they wear smooth they can skid on wet surfaces and should be replaced.
• Wrap up warm outside and stay warm at home too as muscles work more efficiently when they are warm, helping to prevent falls. Set the living room temperature to 70ºf or 21ºc and the bedroom to 64ºf or 18ºc
• Make sure you have regular hot drinks during the day and get up and walk around indoors for a few minutes regularly if you can do this safely.