Winter Weather Safety Tips From NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
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When a Winter Wonderland Becomes a Nightmare: Superlative Ways Seniors Can Avoid the Hazards of Winter
Newswise — NEW YORK (October 2011) -- Winter is a unusual time for celebration. It should also be a time for added caution if you or someone in your family is an older adult. It is the season for falls, slips on icy streets, and other dangers that can be principally harmful for older adults.
"Something as simple as a fall can be devastating for older men and women," says Dr. Evelyn Granieri, governor of the Division of Geriatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/The Allen Hospital. "Before the cold weather arrives, it is critical to prepare."
Dr. Granieri addresses some of the most pressing concerns mature adults have about their health and safety during the winter:
* The flu. Influenza is a serious indisposition that can be fatal in older adults, who often have chronic medical conditions. The vaccine offers some, if not complete, bulwark against the flu and can be administered as early as September. The flu season begins in mid-October and runs through March.

