Making Winter Safer For Seniors

(CBS)  Old Man Winter is here, and causing major headaches already.

As tough as the cold weather is on everyone, it's particularly dangerous for senior citizens.

Dr. Robert Butler, a gerontologist and president of the International Longevity Center, told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm about a number of steps seniors should take to try to stay safe as the mercury plunges.

Keep warm.

Certain medications can lower the core body temperature of seniors, and if they get a deep body chill from spending too much time outside or indoors with the heat too low, it can be fatal. Accidental hypothermia accounts for 25,000 deaths every year in England, where central heating is less prevalent than in North America. It causes many more deaths than what we hear about during heat waves. Signs of hypothermia include excess shivering, low blood pressure, slow reaction, slow speech, and shallow breathing. If you think you or someone you know if suffering from hypothermia, get yourself or them to a doctor immediately.

To prevent falls, wear non-skid soles when it's wet or icy out. If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip.

A common problem among the elderly is broken hips, which happen more frequently in winter. Bones are more brittle and take longer to heal in older people, and this often results in longer hospital stays, which can lead to infection in an already weakened body.

Surprisingly, however, the majority of falls that cause broken bones in seniors happen indoors, so the fear of breaking a hip should not keep seniors in the house all winter. Find out from your local government or senior center about transportation help for the elderly.

Even typically warm-weather places (such as California and Florida) have occasional freezing temperatures that result in icy sidewalks. It's important to keep in mind that it gets dark much earlier this time of year, so keep outdoor walkways and the inside of the house well lit. If seniors are visiting your home, remember to keep rugs smooth, remove clutter, and place rubber bathmats in the tub to avoid spills.

Shovel carefully.

You want to keep walkways clear of snow to avoid slipping and falling, but if you can't get someone to do the shoveling for you, you need to be aware of the dangers. Cold weather puts more stress on the heart, so even if you're relatively healthy, stretch beforehand to loosen muscles; make sure to take frequent breaks when shoveling; cover any exposed skin to avoid frostbite; if you feel at all weak or dizzy, stop.

Keep hydrated.

Seniors have a tendency to become dehydrated because they don't feel thirst like they did when they were younger, and the dry air from indoor heating can exacerbate the problem. Keep water readily available and remember to drink it!

Vaccinate.

There's been a lot of talk about the flu vaccine or lack thereof this year, though the shortage has eased considerably. Seniors are especially susceptible to viruses, but if you can't get your hands on the flu vaccine, ask your doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccine: Deaths are generally not a result of the flu virus itself, but of pneumonia.

Install detectors for smoke and for carbon monoxide.

Older people have a more difficult time expelling carbon monoxide from their system. The colorless, odorless gas is a potential hazard from indoor heating systems or car exhaust. Have your heater checked annually, and if you need to warm up the car before heading out, make sure the garage door is open. You can find combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors at your local hardware store. They're a little more expensive than smoke detectors, but certainly worth it. Also, remember to test the batteries in your detectors and change them at the start of the winter.