Dangerous Winter Falls Are Preventable

One in Four Seniors Falls Each Year — Winter Raises the Risk

​This has already been a hard winter in Northern New Jersey, with slippery ice and snow. Falls are very common among older adults, and winter further increases the risk of serious injuries, loss of independence, or even death. In fact, more than one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year in the U.S., and falling once doubles the risk of falling again.

Here are practical steps seniors and their caregivers can take to reduce the fall risk this winter:
Prep Before Going Outside

• Schedule assisted transportation for outings.
• Check to be sure footwear is sturdy and has a non-slip tread.
• If unsteady, winter is an especially important time to use a non-slip cane or walker.
• Assume walkways and stairs are icy, even if they do not appear to be.

Clear Ice and Snow Promptly

• Arrange ahead for shoveling and plowing; use salt or sand where needed.
• Keep paths well-lit both inside and outside your home.
• Remove outdoor rugs or clutter that could be hidden in the snow and trip you.

Stay Strong & Balanced

• Regular balance and strength exercises (like walking or chair-based stretches) help keep you steady on your feet.
• Stay current with health, vision, and hearing checkups.

Have a Plan if You Do Fall

• Carry a cellphone or medical alert device so you can call for help if needed.
• During bad weather, check in with friends or family several times per day.

​At Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey, our nurses and care teams brave all weather conditions to support patients and caregivers in the comfort of their homes, making winter falls even less of an issue. Please stay warm, stay steady, and stay safe this winter!

Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNANNJ) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home and how to help seniors "age in place" to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes. For help in making a plan for successful aging at home before you have a health emergency visit our Guide to Aging at Home. And visit www.vnannj.org to learn more about our home health care and hospice services.

​Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call VNA Foundation at 973-451-4148.

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The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNANNJ) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

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© All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.

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