"Winterize" to Prevent Falls: UM Faculty Highlights Guidelines for the Elderly

February 13, 2015

Beautiful, cold, dangerous. All of these words describe winter weather in Montana. For older Montanans, falls are a major cause of winter-related injuries and some deaths. Dr. Mindy Renfro, a UM physical therapist and the Montana Adaptive Equipment Program Coordinator at the UM Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, wants to make this winter is safe, warm and wonderful for all Montanans. Her advice was recently highlighted in the December 2014 issue of Neurology Now. She advises older Montanans to maintain good vision, exercise regularly, and to evaluate homes for safety risks.

Dr. Renfro and her UM colleagues provide information to help improve home safety. Her most recent guideline document was distributed by the National Council on Aging to all State Coalitions on Fall Prevention.

 Click here for the Neurology Now article.

 The State Coalition guideline document is available at: www.ruralinstitute.umt.edu