How Cold Weather Affects Joint Health and Mobility in Seniors

Cold spells can be tricky times for anyone – but they’re especially challenging for seniors. Cold pavements can increase an older person’s risk of slipping and falling, and cold temperatures can increase blood pressure and make it harder to breathe.

For elderly people with arthritis or mobility difficulties, there are additional challenges, too. Yet staying active all year round is crucial for an older person’s health.

How can seniors stay safe and mobile in the winter months? Below, we share some ways in which cold weather can affect mobility and some top tips for tackling these issues.

Arthritis

It’s well known that arthritis can be affected by changes in the weather. But, unfortunately, scientists still haven’t fully figured out how or why arthritis pain in the joints can become worse in colder or wet weather. What makes the situation more complicated is that there are many different types of arthritis, and they may respond to weather changes differently.

Still, the fact remains that cold air and high humidity are known to worsen arthritis symptoms in some older people. What can be done?

The essential point here is for elderly people to remain active as much as possible. This might mean asking their doctor for arthritis-friendly, low-impact activities. Another option might be tracking their arthritis symptoms and the weather to see exactly what conditions bring on pain. This could allow a senior to plan for their flare-ups.

Diabetes

We may not think of diabetes as primarily being a disability of mobility, but neuropathy and other health issues related to diabetes can make it harder for an elderly person to get around.

You might be surprised to hear that cold weather can increase blood sugar in people with diabetes – but it’s true. When your body is under stress because of a chilly environment, blood sugar levels can rise. That means it’s important for older people with diabetes to keep lower temperatures in mind as they’re managing their blood sugar. This will help protect their mobility for years to come.

Moreover, a sudden blood sugar low could cause light-headedness and fainting, which is also especially dangerous when the ground is icy and easier to slip on.

Muscle wasting

Sarcopenia, or muscle wasting, is a serious concern for elderly people. It is natural for people to lose muscle as they age. However, the resulting loss of strength and balance can raise a senior’s chances of accidents like falls and can decrease their mobility in future.

One way to combat muscle wasting is simply to keep active. In wintertime, though, older people may tend to reduce their activity because of cold or slippery conditions outdoors.

A good solution for many older people might be simple exercises that can be done at home. Ask your GP what type of home workout or movement routine is safe and appropriate for you.

Or, if early nightfall is a problem, check out our tips on staying safe during dark winter nights.

Vitamin D and frailty

Doctors often recommend simple walks outdoors as a great way of exercising for the elderly. That’s partly down to walking being less strenuous, but it’s also because sunlight helps you get the Vitamin D your body needs to keep your bones strong. A lack of Vitamin D can contribute to osteoporosis, which can make elderly people frailer and more vulnerable. On the reverse side, a walk in the sunshine gives you some Vitamin D and exercise that also combats osteoporosis.

However, as we’ve already mentioned, seniors may be hesitant to go outdoors because of harsh winter conditions.

UK government advice on winter and Vitamin D is for people to think about taking Vitamin D in supplement form during the months when sunlight is scarce. If you’re an older person concerned about getting enough Vitamin D in wintertime, ask your GP what the best way is for you to keep your bones strong during the winter.

Fall risks and wintertime

When it comes to mobility, it’s key to understand that a vicious cycle can develop relating to an older person’s activity level.

If an elderly person is reluctant to go outside or move about because they’re too cold, they may experience muscle wasting and weakened bones – all adding up to an overall frailer condition.

But this frailty then makes them even less comfortable or willing to move around, because the older person is aware that their mobility has decreased.

Moreover, weaker balance and mobility increase the likelihood of a dangerous fall. And a fall, especially one that results in a break or other severe outcome, can trigger a decline in health that could result in a move to a nursing home.

This is why it’s essential to break that vicious cycle by remaining active. Fortunately, help is available. The NHS considers falls to be a serious concern for seniors, so they will want to help older people reduce their chances of a fall.

If you’re worried about losing mobility during the winter, whether it’s because of arthritis pain, diabetes, muscle wasting or any other condition – talk to a medical professional. In many locations, there are programmes in place to help avert falls in the elderly. Some possible steps that could help range from getting a falls risk assessment to using a walking aid for the elderly.

How personal alarms help seniors in winter

Another important step for protecting older people in cold weather is obtaining a personal alarm for the elderly. This little device is designed to be a last layer of protection if a fall does occur. It can’t stop a fall, but it can prevent a fall from turning into a ‘long lie,’ a period of one hour or more lying on the floor. That matters because a long lie has serious effects of its own and can worsen an older person’s decline into frailty.

A personal alarm typically has an SOS button that can be touched just once to call for help. That’s essential for protecting elderly people who have fallen or are too unwell to find and dial a phone. Some alarms also have automatic fall detection, which can sense falls and raise an alert even if the alarm wearer is unconscious.

Protecting older people’s mobility and independence with SureSafe

SureSafe is a leading provider of personal alarms in the UK, and our mission is to protect older people’s mobility and independence by getting help to them fast when they need it.

Are you considering getting a personal alarm for yourself or an elderly loved one? If so, our expert team are here on 0808 189 1671 to provide advice. You can also talk to us online through live chat or request a call back.