Health Advice from the HSE - Be Winter Ready

Everyone, especially older or more vulnerable people, should remember to take extra care during a cold spell. Elderly people should not venture outdoors in severe weather if possible. The public are asked to make a special effort to keep in contact with their neighbours and relatives, particularly those living alone.

Remember:

• keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel
• call on elderly relatives and neighbours and ensure they have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription drugs they may need
• ensure that older people have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in their homes

If your water supply is disrupted due to severe weather, you will find health advice on drinking water supplies and more information on keeping well this winter on www.hse.ie.

If travel services or roads are disrupted due to bad weather, you may need to change planned visits to hospital or other health centres for appointments or even a planned operation. If severe disruption occurs, some health services may have to change their operating times. If you have a question about any planned appointments, please phone the hospital or facility that you are due to attend to check on any changes to services.

Emergency Departments around the country can be busy in severe weather, dealing with sprains and fractures as a result of slips and falls on icy roads and footpaths. While both young and old present to Emergency Departments as a result of falls on ice, as we get older a fall can result in broken bones, a loss of confidence, loss of mobility and fear of leaving the home. Many falls can be prevented and by making small changes we can reduce the chances of falling.

Accidents do happen but many slips, trips and falls are preventable. A leaflet, ‘Keep Safe This Winter – Preventing Falls and Trips’, is available at the bottom of this page with lots of helpful tips on how to be safe in your home and outdoors this winter. You can also contact your Local Health Office for more advice.

Fall prevention in your home:

• leave a low energy light on at night time, preferably one with a high light output
• use a non-slip shower or bath mat
• make sure wires or cords, such as from lamps or telephones, do not trail where you walk
• arrange furniture so that you can easily move around all your rooms
• keep the floors clear from items such as papers and books that could cause you to trip
• remove rugs or use non-slip tape or backing so rugs will not slip Consider installing hand rails on both sides of the stairs

In icy weather, wear well-fitted shoes with non-slip soles if you have to go out but try to limit walking during the cold weather. Have your vision checked. Your eyesight changes as you get older; poor vision can increase your chances of falling

Advice on medication

As you get older you may need to change the dose of your medicines – check with your doctor. Some medicines or combinations of medicines may make you feel faint or light-headed which could lead to a fall.

Consider wearing a personal alarm so that family or neighbours are alerted if you fall. Eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active. If you have a fall, even a minor one, make sure you visit your doctor for a check up.

If your disability is affected by a drop in temperature try and be aware of the weather forecast in order to allow you plan for pain management. Wear the correct amount of layers to try and maintain your body temperature at the required level.

Individuals with reduced mobility should take extra measures to protect their hands, feet and other areas of the body that are particularly subject to cold. Eat well and avoid unnecessary travel. You should eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active.

Food supplies

Ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need. If you have some mobility try and keep active indoors. Have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home.

Ask your relatives and neighbours for help if you need it. Keep their phone numbers on a list beside your phone. If you cannot talk to people on the phone, make sure you have a relative or friend you can text for assistance if you need it, and register with the emergency services so you can contact them via text if necessary.

Medical equipment

If you have to use medical equipment or a powered mobility device every day please make sure that you always have access to a power supply.

Ensure that you are on the vulnerable customer registers for the energy companies and Irish Water. If you have an assistance dog, be sure to keep them warm as well. Be sure to always have a blanket for the animal to rest on. Keep the animal indoors as much as possible.

People with disabilities should plan for the possibility that winter weather may disrupt homecare services. In icy weather, wear well-fitted shoes with non-slip soles if you have to go out but try to limit walking outside during the cold weather.

If you use a mobility device make sure it can grip an icy surface and If you have a ramp make sure it is well gritted in icy weather.

Stay in contact

If you have a mobile phone that you can use make sure it has a charge and bring it with you when you are going out. You should consider wearing a personal alarm so that family or neighbours are alerted if you fall. If you have a fall, even a minor one, make sure you can visit your doctor for a check up.

If possible, make yourself aware of a relative or neighbour’s disability and ask them how best you can help them if required.

Try to call on relatives and neighbours who have a disability, and offer to assist them in severe weather:

• ensure that they have sufficient supplies of food and medications
• ensure that they have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in their homes
• ensure that they have access to power and water
• arrange regular visits or phone calls so they don’t feel isolated

If you have any doubts about the safety of someone you know who has a disability seek the assistance of An Garda Síochána or local health and social services.

In winter it can be difficult for everyone to get about and conduct day to day activities. It is even more difficult for older people and other vulnerable people.

• keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel. You should eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active
• ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need
• keep active indoors
• have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home
• ask your relatives and neighbours for help if you need it. Keep their phone numbers on a list beside your phone

• in icy weather, wear well-fitted shoes with non-slip soles if you have to go out but try to limit walking outside during the cold weather
• consider wearing a personal alarm so that family or neighbours are alerted if you fall
• if you have a fall, even a minor one, make sure you visit your doctor for a check up.

• leave a low energy light on at night time, preferably one with a high light output
• use a non-slip shower or bath mat
• make sure wires or cords from lamps, telephones etc. do not trail where you walk
• arrange furniture so that you can easily move around all your rooms
• remove rugs or use non-slip tape or backing so rugs will not slip
• consider installing hand rails on both sides of the stairs

For more information visit the HSE website.

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