LYL | Winter Fall Prevention for Older Adults

Originally published December 20, 2024. Updated December 4, 2026.

Quick Answer

Older adults can reduce winter fall risk by keeping entrances clear and well lit, wearing nonskid rubber-soled footwear, using railings, avoiding untreated ice and maintaining strength and balance indoors. A prior fall, repeated near falls, growing unsteadiness or fear of walking outside are good reasons to discuss fall risk with a healthcare provider. An in-home physical therapist can assess walking, balance, mobility devices and hazards in the places where daily movement actually occurs.

Why Winter Deserves Extra Planning

Minnesota winters add snow, ice, wet entryways, heavy clothing and shorter daylight to the movement challenges people may already experience. Minnesota Department of Health data show that slipping, tripping or stumbling accounted for 70% of fall-related hospitalizations among adults 65 and older from 2016 through 2024. Falls involving ice and snow accounted for another 6%.[1]

Those numbers do not mean older adults should stop moving all winter. They do show why preparation matters. The safest plan combines environmental precautions with attention to strength, balance, vision, medications and the person’s individual health.

Before You Go Outside

1. Check the conditions. If walkways have not been cleared or treated, delay the trip when possible. The National Institute on Aging recommends considering delivery services for groceries, prescriptions and other necessities during severe weather.[2]

2. Choose supportive footwear. Wear low-heeled shoes or boots with nonskid rubber soles. Smooth soles, loose slippers and socks alone provide less traction. Make sure footwear fits securely and does not create a new tripping hazard.

3. Keep your hands available. Carry items in a backpack, crossbody bag or another option that leaves your hands free to use a railing. Avoid carrying a load that blocks your view of the walking surface.

4. Use railings and cleared routes. Choose the entrance with the best lighting, a stable railing and the least snow or ice. Use ice melt or sand on walkways, and ask someone else to shovel when the conditions or exertion would be unsafe.[2]

5. Give yourself options. Arrange a ride, move an appointment or ask for help when conditions are poor. A necessary errand is not improved by rushing across untreated ice.

Prepare the Entrance to Your Home

Keep steps, ramps and walkways cleared and treated
Repair loose railings and use them consistently
Improve lighting near doors, steps and the path from the driveway
Use a stable, absorbent mat inside the entrance and keep its edges flat
Remove wet footwear promptly so melting snow does not create an indoor slip hazard
Keep packages, shoes, cords and seasonal decorations out of walking paths

Check Canes, Walkers and Wheelchairs

A mobility device only helps when it fits the user, is in good condition and is used correctly. Check worn cane tips, walker glides, brakes, wheels and hand grips before winter travel. The National Institute on Aging recommends having a healthcare provider confirm that a cane or walker is the correct size and safe to use. A physical or occupational therapist can help select and fit a device and teach its safe use.[3]

Do not add a winter attachment or change how a device is used without understanding how the change affects stability. If a cane, walker or wheelchair feels less secure outdoors, ask for professional guidance before relying on it in snow or ice.

Maintain Strength and Balance Indoors

Reducing outdoor activity for several months can make it harder to maintain leg strength, endurance and confidence. Current guidance recommends exercise for community-dwelling adults 65 and older who are at increased risk for falls.[4,5] Common components include gait, balance, functional and strength training.[4]

The right program depends on the person’s health, abilities and fall risk. Exercises copied from a video or handout may be too easy, too difficult or inappropriate for someone with dizziness, pain, osteoporosis, recent surgery or another medical concern. A physical therapist can determine which activities are reasonable and how they should progress.

Signs It May Be Time for a Fall Risk Evaluation

A fall within the past year, even without an obvious injury
Repeated slips, trips or near falls
Holding walls, furniture or another person while walking
Difficulty standing from a chair or climbing steps
New dizziness, weakness or changes in walking
Uncertainty about whether a cane or walker fits correctly
Avoiding normal activities because of fear of falling

Tell a healthcare provider about any fall. A fall can be related to balance and strength, but it may also signal concerns involving medication, blood pressure, vision, feet, sensation or another medical condition.[3] Sudden dizziness, weakness or difficulty speaking requires urgent medical attention.

How In-Home Physical Therapy Supports Fall Prevention

An in-home physical therapist may:

Assess walking, balance, strength, transfers and stair use
Review how the client moves through entrances and other high-use areas
Develop an individualized strength and balance program
Evaluate whether a mobility device fits and is being used safely
Recommend practical changes to reduce hazards inside the home
Help the client rebuild confidence with meaningful daily activities

No plan can prevent every fall, and physical therapy cannot make untreated ice safe. It can help identify modifiable risks and give the client a plan based on their actual movement, health and environment.

Plan for a Safer Minnesota Winter

Live Your Life provides mobile in-home physical therapy throughout Maple Grove, the Interstate 494 corridor and surrounding Twin Cities communities. Our therapists can assess fall risk, mobility and safety in the client’s own home.

If you or someone you love feels less steady this winter, request an in-home physical therapy evaluation before a near fall becomes a more serious concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Older Adults Walk Outside When It Is Icy?

Avoid untreated ice when possible. Delay the trip, choose a cleared entrance, arrange a ride or use a delivery service during poor conditions. Staying active remains important, but indoor activity may be the safer choice on an icy day.

Can Physical Therapy Prevent Winter Falls?

Physical therapy cannot guarantee that a fall will not occur. It can assess individual risk factors and address concerns involving strength, balance, walking, transfers, mobility-device use and the home environment.

What Should I Do After a Fall If I Do Not Feel Hurt?

Tell your healthcare provider about the fall even if you do not notice pain. A provider can help determine whether medication, vision, blood pressure, balance or another factor needs attention. Seek prompt medical care for a head impact, severe pain, confusion, new weakness or an inability to bear weight.

Can a Physical Therapist Check My Cane or Walker?

Yes. A physical therapist can check fit and condition, observe how the device is being used and recommend a different option when appropriate. An occupational therapist may also help with mobility devices and home-safety needs.