Theh majority of people enjoy spending time outdoors and enjoying nature and the fresh air.  Taking a deep breath outside after being inside can help to reduce stress. And believe it or not, this is an emerging topic in scientific research! It’s called grounding, or earthing. It revolves around connecting with the earth. And it can have huge health benefits by helping in reducing inflammation improving cardiovascular disease, muscle damage, and chronic pain, and enhancing our mood.

Staying Steady: Preventing Outdoor Falls for Seniors

Unfortunately, as we age, outdoor activities can start to pose challenges due to the risk of falls. So, before we can enjoy its benefits, we have to make sure we can access the outdoors safely and put our best foot forward. From uneven walkways to poor lighting, outdoor spaces can pose risks that have to be overcome to take advantage of all the real benefits.

In this final part of our three-part series which began with a post in January of this year, we’ll delve into practical tips and strategies for preventing outdoor falls and creating a safer outdoor environment for seniors.  Now that it is March and the weather is turning warmer, it is a great time to get outside more.

Choose Safe Footwear

Wearing appropriate footwear for outdoor activities may look different for everyone, but it’s probably the most important thing to do. Having shoes with non-slip soles and good traction can reduce slipping. Proper footwear can help prevent slips and falls on various outdoor surfaces.

And if your shoes have laces, be sure to tie them right to give your feet the support you need.

Maintain Outdoor Walkways

Regularly inspect your outdoor walkways for any uneven surfaces, cracks, or obstacles that could cause tripping.

Repair any damaged pathways as soon as you notice them and ensure that they are well-maintained. This will help make it easy for people to visit you, and for you to visit people.

When our walkways pose challenges, they not only present as hazards for falls but can also contribute to feelings of loneliness. Accessibility is key to maintaining connections within our community—if we can’t easily get out or welcome others in, our sense of community suffers.

Improve Outdoor Lighting

In the earlier post on reducing falls risk, we mentioned that our pupils lose flexibility as our eyes age. And this starts as young as 60. That is why good lighting is essential for outdoor safety, especially during the evening and nighttime.

Install motion-activated lights near entrances, pathways, and other high-traffic areas to ensure that outdoor spaces are well-lit and safe to navigate. Ideally, these lights can also be attached to a switch and operated from inside. This helps ensure we can light our way before leaving the house. In addition, we can light the way for our visitors.

Install Handrails, Railings, and Grab Bars

Consider installing handrails and grab bars in outdoor areas where you may need extra support, such as near stairs, ramps, or uneven terrain.  Having an extra handhold, placed vertically, or up and down, at the top or bottom of the steps can help when you are carrying items up/down as it gives you a handhold at the very top.  It can also work wonders in bad weather.

Pro Tip: In my personal experience as an occupational therapist, I get a lot of initial pushback about using a grab bar as an outdoor railing at the top of the steps. I get told that because a railing is already there, it seems like a waste of time and energy. But, once I convince someone to try it, I get the most positive feedback on this recommendation.

These safety features can provide stability and reduce the risk of falls.

Be Mindful of Weather Conditions

Stay informed about weather conditions and be aware of how they can affect outdoor surfaces. Wet or icy conditions can make outdoor areas slippery and hazardous, so take extra precautions during inclement weather.

Creating a safe outdoor environment is important for preventing falls, ensuring your well-being, and making it easy for visitors to visit. This will allow us to keep grounding and earthing. And it provides an opportunity for getting outside in nature or with friends and loved ones which can keep us grounded in good health.

 

Contributed by:

Dawn Heiderscheidt OTR/L, ECHM, CAPS

As a seasoned Occupational Therapist with years of experience in traditional healthcare settings, Dawn is passionate about helping people live independently in their own homes. She turned that passion into a successful mobile home modifications business when she founded Aurora Independence, leveraging her expertise in home modifications and Universal Design to help clients Age in place.

Dawn is the Owner/Founder of Aurora Independence: “Empowering your independence, enhancing your home.”

Dawn’s approach is client-centered and evidenced-based, ensuring that every project is personalized to the unique needs of her clients. She provides home accessibility and home safety consulting on construction projects, additions, and other modifications. And she advocates for proper accessibility at every stage to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment.

Dawn’s drive to help the Aging in Place market is rooted in their personal experience of caring for her parents, her background as a rehab professional, and her own experience navigating the healthcare spaces. Her empathy and dedication to her clients are matched only by her expertise.

She shares this expertise as s guest speaker on entrepreneurship at the university level as a national continuing education provider for fellow healthcare and remodeling professionals.

At Aurora Independence, Dawn’s passion for empowering independence is more than just a business — it’s a way of life.

 

You can learn more about the important ingredients of successful aging in place by reading blog posts on the Friends Life Care  eMeetinghouse blog . You will find tips on wellness, home accessibility, health prevention and more.  Friends Life Care is a Quaker value-based nonprofit with a mission to help older adults — especially members — to successfully age in place.  For questions about what Friends Life Care offers, contact us today. 

If you are a current member, you can reach out directly to your dedicated care coordinator.