Winter Safety


Dr. Jonathan Evans
PT, DPT, CMTPT, VRC, PDNC
Chief Executive Officer, Orthopedic & Vestibular Physical Therapist
According to the CDC, more than 25% of older adults fall each year. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.
With the cold weather already upon us and the snow coming down, we want to make sure you are prioritizing safety when you are outdoors!
People are at higher risk for falling in the winter which leads to more pain, and inability to perform daily activities and tasks.
When shoveling snow:
● Make sure to use your whole body instead of only your back
● Don’t try to lift too much snow at once
● Take breaks as needed (as much as we would like to get everything done quickly)
Getting out of your car:
● Make sure you have both feet on the same surface before standing
● Have a good base of support before standing
● Hold onto car to assist when standing
Walking on ice/snow:
● Widen your stance to help maximize your base of support
● Have assistance when needed
● Plan your movement before walking
If you have questions or concerns regarding your pain, balance, or specific exercises that you should do during the winter to help you feel better, please call us at (260) 739-0300!
Reference:
https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html
