Cold weather poses increased risks for seniors

With the arrival of colder weather, concerns for the safety and well-being of older Americans rise.

According to the New York Presbyterian Hospital, www.nyp.org, this is the time of year that senior citizens may find themselves in bed with the flu or slip and fall on icy sidewalks or streets. These circumstances can hold greater dangers for senior citizens than they do for younger Americans, the Web site said.

Certain precautions should be taken to avoid tragic outcomes for which seniors are at increased risk during the winter.

NYPH recommends that seniors see their physicians for an annual flu vaccinations. Flu season runs from mid-October until mid-March and according to NYPH can be fatal for older adults. The flu vaccine offers some protection against this potentially dangerous illness. Seniors are also advised to discuss the pneumovax vaccine with their doctors. This is the vaccine which helps protect a person from pneumonia.

To help protect against unnecessary falls, older people are encouraged to check the lighting in their houses. Since they have more difficulty adjusting to changes in light, a high contrast could increase the risk of slipping and falling. Night lights are recommended after dusk for necessary trips throughout the house in the dark. Wrinkled or torn rugs can also pose a problem for seniors. Using padding or special tape to prevent the rug form sliding or curling up will decrease the probability of the rug tripping anyone who passes by.

Although senior s are encouraged to continue exercising during the cold months, they should avoid strenuous exercise such as shoveling snow. Even though the days are cooler, seniors should make certain that they maintain a good diet and a good level of hydration. NYPH advises seniors to drink at least four to five glasses of water each day.

Extreme caution should be used when traveling outside during the cold winter months. NYPH recommends that seniors wear comfortable shoes that are equipped with anti-slip soles. This type of shoe will help seniors navigate on icy streets and side walks.

In addition to caution while outside in the cold, caution must also be taken at home. The Senior Journal, www.seniorjournal.com, warns seniors to maintain the proper level of heat in their homes. With gas prices rising, they may be tempted to lower their thermostats to save money. Turning the thermostat down could have serious effects for older people. These effects could include hypothermia, and could lead to additional health risks for otherwise healthy people, the Web site said.

The Web site explains why cooler temperatures are more dangerous for senior citizens than they are in younger adults.

"It only takes a slight drop in a home's temperature to impact the health of an elderly adult. As the body ages, it produces less heat, and it becomes more difficult to regulate the body's temperature," the statement said.

According to the Senior Journal, even a temperature as high as 60 degrees can put elderly adults at risk for hypothermia. The symptoms of hypothermia are subtle, the Web site said. This makes it hard for seniors to recognize that they may be in trouble.

Hypothermia can cause dehydration, confusion and an irregular heart beat, the Web site said. If this condition is left untreated, it could lead to a coma or sometimes death.

Older adults should make sure to dress warmly, even if they are indoors and do not feel cold. In addition, senior citizens might consider obtaining additional sources for heat, such as a fireplace or a space heater.

The basic idea to remember is that, time of year, whether indoors or outdoors, senior citizens should exercise caution.