Watching the snow fall from the comfort of your home is one of this season’s most beautiful pleasures. However, wintry conditions in the Greater Toronto Area also pose a potential safety threat: ice.
Ice can turn everyday routines into calculated risks. A simple walk to the mailbox or a quick trip to the pharmacy can become a moment when balance, confidence, and independence are tested all at once.
However, you can’t stay housebound during the long Canadian winters, so you need to focus on developing the proper habits, support, and preparation to help you minimize the risk of falling when venturing outdoors.
Why is ice so dangerous for older adults?
As people age, balance reactions slow, vision becomes less sharp in low-contrast light, and muscles that once caught a misstep may not respond in time to prevent a fall. Add black ice on a sidewalk or snow on the driveway, and the margin for error shrinks quickly.
Also adding to the risk is that conditions in Southern Ontario can change rapidly. For example, a mild afternoon can melt snow into puddles, but a drop in overnight temperatures can turn everything into a thin, nearly invisible sheet of ice by morning.
The physical impact of a fall can be devastating to older adults, who tend to heal more slowly than when they were younger. Bruises, scrapes, fractures, and other physical injuries can limit mobility, making it harder to perform routine tasks. Just as devastating is the loss of confidence that follows a near-miss or a fall. Someone who used to enjoy morning walks, running errands, or attending social events will now hesitate before leaving home, which can take a toll on their emotional well-being.
Fortunately, a measured approach to preventing outdoor winter falls can help preserve your older loved one’s physical and mental health, allowing them to enjoy the season to their fullest safely and with peace of mind.
How to minimize the risk of winter falls
Here are several ways you can help your loved one minimize the risk of slipping on outdoor ice:
Always be aware of the potential of slippery conditions
Ice is usually quite visible, but it’s important to remember that it’s the ice you can’t see that will cause the most accidents. For example, black ice blends into asphalt and concrete, especially in low winter light, creating a hazard for pedestrians and drivers.
Older adults and family caregivers should assume that any surface that looks wet or glossy could be slippery, even if it doesn’t appear frozen. That awareness alone should change how you step, where you place your weight, and how much time you give yourself to get from point A to point B.
Wear appropriate footwear
Footwear plays a significant role in maintaining stability when traversing wintry surfaces. Be sure you and your loved one wear shoes or boots that are not only warm, but also have a sole that grips uneven surfaces, a firm heel that doesn’t wobble, and a snug fit that keeps the foot from sliding inside the shoe. Even a small amount of internal movement can throw the person off balance when the ground underneath is already unreliable.
In particularly icy conditions, removable traction devices can provide extra grip, but they must be used correctly and removed before stepping indoors, where they can become slippery on smooth floors.
Walk with caution
Even the best boots made for icy conditions won’t help prevent falls if the wearer isn’t careful about how they walk. Shorter, slower steps lower the centre of gravity and reduce the chance of a sudden slip. Also, leaning slightly forward rather than back helps keep your weight over your feet.
Walking hands-free can also help prevent falls. Avoid carrying bags or fumbling with keys while navigating ice, so your attention stays focused on walking and on reacting quickly if you slip. Whenever possible, use a small backpack or a bag that leaves one hand free for balance or grasping a railing.
Walk at the safest times
Venturing out on foot first thing in the morning or after a snowfall might be tricky, as municipal crews may not have had time to clear sidewalks. Midday outings, when the sun has had time to melt or soften icy patches, are often safer.
Also, be sure to schedule your loved one’s errands and appointments during daylight hours, when icy patches are more visible.
Keep the outside area safe and well-lit
Driveways, walkways, and steps are another critical component of fall prevention. Even when city sidewalks are plowed, private property can remain icy. Families can make a meaningful difference here by ensuring paths are well salted and free of snow buildup.
Shovelling snow or ice can be dangerous for older adults. In addition to the risk of slips and falls, the physical strain can significantly increase the risk of a heart attack. Your loved one may be able to access community services in Toronto that can assist with snow clearing on private property. Visit The City of Toronto website for more details.
Good lighting is also critical in winter, when dusk arrives early, and shadows conceal uneven patches. Motion-sensor lights near entrances and along walkways help reduce the risk of missteps on dark late-day afternoons.
Arrange for accompaniment for your older loved one
Many falls happen when someone decides to “just go quickly” to a destination rather than wait for conditions to improve or for someone to accompany them. There’s no loss of independence in choosing the safer option; in fact, asking for accompaniment on outings will preserve independence in the long run.
In most cases, a family caregiver will accompany their older loved one. However, with work, family, and social commitments, it is often difficult for family members to be available.
That’s where CareHop comes in. Our professional, trained elder care specialists will happily accompany your loved one on all their outings, whether it’s to a medical appointment, grocery store, or even just to the corner coffee shop for a change of pace.
Our priority is to get your loved one to their destinations and home again safely, while providing professional, caring support. We’ll ensure your loved one is always happy and safe, even when there’s ice outside!
Quality in-home elder care services in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Brampton
CareHop specializes in providing safe, professional on-demand eldercare services to help ensure optimal health and happiness in the older adults in your life.Contact us today for a free, no-obligation discussion to discover how we can help you with safe, cost-effective eldercare solutions.
