Winter Wound & Fall Survival Guide for Erie Seniors

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winter wound care awareness via a white snow covered car parked in downtown erie pa
How to Keep Your Skin Intact and Your Feet Under You When Lake-Effect Weather Hits

If you live in or around Erie PA, you already know winter here isn’t just cold — it’s dry, windy, and icy. That combination is brutal on skin and balance, which is exactly why wound clinics and emergency rooms see a spike in winter.

The good news? Most winter wounds and falls are preventable — even if you’re over 65, diabetic, or already healing from surgery.

Here are helpful strategies we give our in-home patients (plus a FREE downloadable checklist at the end).

1. DRY AIR = PAPER-THIN SKIN

Indoor heat + much lower humidity can make your skin feel as thin as tissue paper.

Do this now:

  • Set your furnace humidifier to 40–50% or use a portable humidifier in the bedroom.
  • Moisturize within 3 minutes of every shower or hand wash.
  • Skip hot showers — opt for warm water instead.
  • Cover arms and legs with clothing, even indoors. Friction + thin skin = easy tears.

winter wound prevention erie including an older person

2. ICE IS CAMOUFLAGED UNDER SNOW – ASSUME IT’S EVERYWHERE

One sheet of black ice on a sidewalk or driveway steps can equal thousands in medical bills.

Simple rules to help stay safe:

  • Wear transitional traction ice cleats on every pair of shoes/boots the second you step outside.
  • Use a cane with an ice tip or keep a ski pole or trekking pole by the door.
  • Scatter kitty litter or sand (not just salt) on your steps and walkway. Salt melts, litter gives grip.
  • Shop groceries online or ask a neighbor — one fall could cost more than a year of Instacart.

a woman goes down a staircase in winter wearing boots to prevent falls and wounds. Winter wound prevention erie

3. COLD SLOWS HEALING

Blood vessels constrict in the cold, so less oxygen and nutrients reach your wound or surgical incision.

Keep healing on track:

4. DIABETIC? YOU CANNOT SKIP THE DAILY FOOT-CHECK IN WINTER

Dry, cracked heels hide small ulcers that turn into big problems fast when you can’t feel them.

Get in the habit of this 30-second daily routine:

  1. Sit in good light.
  2. Look at every inch of both feet. Use a handheld mirror, long-handled mirror, or your phone camera for the bottoms.
  3. Feel for hot spots, swelling, or anything sharp inside socks/shoes.
  4. Moisturize tops and bottoms of your feet — but NOT  between the toes.     

winter wound erie pa skin check using a mirror to check the bottom of the foot

 Don’t forget your FREE Download: “Erie Senior Winter Wound & Fall Checklist”

Take advantage of our one-page printable checklist to hang up at home or give to family members.

⬇ Click below to get your free Erie Senior Winter Wound & Fall Checklist PDF instantly:  

Erie Senior Winter Wound & Fall Checklist

Stay warm, stay upright, and stay wound-free this winter!

Questions or want to schedule your evaluation? Contact us! We look forward to helping you heal faster, move better, right at home.

We accept some insurances including Medicare and Highmark.

Contact us
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