Forecasters expect a wetter-than-usual winter in Southern California because of a strong El Niño, and you can follow the latest outlook at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Anyone who has stepped out of a car onto a damp curb knows what rain can do to your footing. This post is for older adults, and the people who love them, about staying steady when the pavement is slick. For the bigger picture on the season, our El Niño guide covers what the forecast means.
Why Wet Days Call for Extra Care
According to the CDC, about one in three adults age 65 and older falls each year. Many falls cause no injury, but roughly one in five leads to a serious one. Rain adds to the odds. Wet leaves, painted crosswalk lines, metal grates, and polished entry floors all turn slick, and La Mesa’s hilly streets mean plenty of slopes where a slip can carry you farther than you’d expect. Shorter days make it harder to see what’s underfoot, too.
Shoes, Steps, and Surfaces
A few small habits make a real difference. Wear shoes with non-slip soles and replace pairs that have worn smooth. Slow down at the transitions, like car to curb, curb to sidewalk, and sidewalk to doorway, since that’s where many slips happen.
Use handrails whenever they’re available, and steer around wet leaves, painted lines, and metal covers. If you carry an umbrella, keep one hand free for the rail, or choose a hooded jacket instead. Inside the door, wipe your shoes on a mat and dry up any drips right away so the entryway doesn’t become the next hazard. If you use a cane or walker, check the rubber tips regularly, because they wear down.
Light and Timing
Dusk arrives earlier every week this time of year. Plan errands and walks for daylight hours when you can, keep paths and entries well lit, and carry a small flashlight if you’re out near sunset. As we get older, we need brighter light to see well, so that lamp you could skip in July earns its keep in November.
Talk With Your Care Team
Falls often have more than one cause, and some of them can be changed. The CDC suggests talking openly with your doctor or pharmacist about fall risk, having your medications reviewed for side effects like dizziness, and getting your vision checked. Strength and balance exercises help too, and a clinician can recommend what’s right for you. If you’ve fallen, or you feel unsteady, tell your doctor right away. You can learn more about the CDC’s approach at cdc.gov/steadi.
A Rainy Thursday, Handled
Imagine a Resident with a standing Thursday appointment. The rain arrives overnight and the morning is gray and slick. Instead of rushing, she picks her grippiest shoes, asks a friend for an arm at the curb, steps carefully over the painted crosswalk lines, and dries her shoes at the door when she’s back. Nothing about it is dramatic, and that’s the point. Small, steady habits are what keep a wet day uneventful.
Keep Moving, Safely
The answer to a slick sidewalk isn’t to stay indoors all winter. Staying active keeps muscles strong, and strong muscles are one of the best defenses against falls. On the wettest days, try indoor walking, chair exercises, or gentle stretching, and save the outdoor walk for when the pavement dries.
At Westmont of La Mesa, we’d love to help you and your family think through what a safe, active winter looks like. To learn more, visit Westmont of La Mesa or call (619) 369-9700.
