Getting out of the house for errands, a walk, or visiting friends is vital to staying active and independent. However, public spaces like sidewalks and parking lots can present unexpected challenges. These areas can hide risks for seniors that may lead to a fall.
Falls are a serious concern. Data from the United States CDC--Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--states that such incidents result in an estimated 3 million emergency department visits for older adults yearly. Learn step-by-step tips to help you navigate sidewalks, parking lots, and store entrances safely and confidently.
How to Prepare Before You Leave Home
A safe trip begins before you even step out the door. Taking a few moments to prepare can make a significant difference in preventing a fall. This means choosing the right gear and planning for your conditions.
Choose the Right Footwear
Your shoes are your first line of defense. Wear footwear with non-slip rubber soles that provide good traction. Make sure they fit correctly and support your entire foot.
Avoid wearing open-backed slippers, high heels, or shoes with worn-out, smooth soles, as these can easily lead to a loss of balance. Hip fractures are a well documented significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Additionally, more than 300,000 older adults are hospitalized for hip fractures each year. These statistics underscore stable footwear as a critical safety measure.
Use Mobility Aids Effectively
If you use a cane or walker, inspect it before you leave. Check that the rubber tips are not worn down, which can cause the aid to slip. A well-maintained mobility aid is essential for stability.
Ensure your mobility aid is adjusted to the correct height. This will provide you with the best possible support and stability while you walk, helping you feel more secure.
Plan for Outdoor Conditions
A few moments of planning can prevent accidents. Before you head out, check the weather forecast. Try to run errands during daylight hours when visibility is best. Sticking to familiar, well-maintained routes can also help you avoid surprises.
Navigating different weather conditions requires specific preparations to prevent a fall. Wearing waterproof, high-traction boots is essential in rainy or snowy conditions to prevent slips on wet or icy surfaces. When sunlight is bright, UV-blocking sunglasses and a hat reduce glare that might hide uneven pavement or obstacles. For low-light or evening conditions, carrying a small flashlight and wearing colorful clothing can improve your visibility to others and help you spot potential hazards in your path. These simple preparatory steps address common environmental factors contributing to falls and are widely recommended by safety and health experts.
How to Walk Safely on Sidewalks
Sidewalks are often less predictable than we think. As government data and publicly available reports show, many cities, including Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, track and address hazards such as uneven concrete and delayed repairs, which can create daily obstacles for pedestrians. Staying alert is crucial for navigating these public pathways safely.
Scan Your Environment Constantly
Make it a habit to scan the path about 10-15 feet ahead. This gives you time to spot and react to potential hazards. Don't focus only on your feet.
Look for common dangers like large cracks, raised slabs from tree roots, loose gravel, or other debris. While environmental hazards are a significant risk factor, falls are often a complex issue caused by a combination of personal health factors—such as lower-body weakness and balance issues—and external risks.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Handling Obstacles
When you encounter an unavoidable hazard, such as broken pavement, please approach carefully and deliberately to pass it safely.
- Stop and Assess. Pause a few feet before the obstacle to determine the safest way to proceed.
- Look for a Clear Path. Determine if you can safely step around the hazard onto stable, level ground.
- Position Your Mobility Aid. Place a cane or walker firmly on the far side of the obstacle before you move your feet.
- Take a Deliberate Step. Step up or over the obstacle, planting your foot securely before transferring your weight.
- Regain Your Balance. Make sure you are stable and balanced before you continue walking.
How to Manage Parking Lot and Store Entrance Risks
Parking lots are transitional spaces with unique dangers, from moving cars to environmental hazards. Navigating them requires a different kind of awareness than walking on a sidewalk.
Identify Common Parking Lot Dangers
Be mindful of your surroundings. Watch for drivers who may not see you, especially when backing out of spaces. Look for potholes, loose curb stops, and slick spots from oil or rain.
Under the accepted legal concept of premises liability, property owners must keep their outdoor spaces reasonably safe for visitors. Hazards like uneven pavement, poor lighting, and slippery surfaces are unfortunately frequent. These are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents, and a property owner's failure to address a known hazard could likely constitute a glaring breach of their duty of care to you.
Navigate Store Entrances with Care
The entrance to a store can be a high-traffic area. Please pay attention to automatic doors to ensure you have enough time to pass through without them closing on you. On rainy or snowy days, floors at entrances often become wet and slippery. Look for warning signs and stroll on mats.
Moreover, the most common causes of slip and fall accidents at store entrances often involve wet floors from rain or snow, spills that aren't promptly cleaned, or torn mats, all of which fall under the scope of premises liability. Even with the best preparation, falls can happen. Knowing what to do after a fall on concrete is crucial to staying safe.
Stay Safe as You Stay Active Outdoors
Staying safe while you are active outdoors involves two key things: preparation and awareness. You can significantly decrease your fall risk by choosing the proper footwear, planning for the weather, and actively scanning your environment.
These simple habits empower you to continue enjoying your independence and confidently engaging with your community.
Image credits: AI-generated by Gemin
Disclaimer:
This article is solely for general information and discussion purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed US medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.