Espoo gives ice grips to seniors to prevent slips and falls
This winter, the city will give almost 500 elderly people in Espoo a free pair of ice grips for their shoes. The aim of the project is to prevent falls in slippery winter conditions and promote elderly people’s functional capacity.
A total of 496 pairs of heel-only ice grips will be handed out to elderly people. The team for the promotion of health, wellbeing and participation will cover the costs of the ice grips, and Espoo’s Sports and Exercise Services will hand out the devices.
Ice grips will be handed out to participants in Espoo’s Strength and Balance 75+ groups, seated exercise groups and special exercise groups as well as trained outdoor buddies working in Espoo.
The first pairs of ice grips were given to their new owners in December during Strength and Balance 75+ sessions held at the Tapiola Service Centre.
The group members were delighted by the surprise. They all exclaimed “Thank you, Espoo!” when Sports Planner Esa Yletyinen and the groups’ instructor handed out the ice grips.
“We are physically active, but these ice grips will provide good traction on slippery streets,” said Eila Liimatainen (80) and Kristian Holmqvist (80).
“We use walking poles in the winter, but these ice grips will also provide good heel traction,” they said.
Both Eila and Kristian enjoy walking on Espoo’s recreational routes, and the Waterfront Walkway is one of their favourites. Eila says that she prefers walking along the sides of the Waterfront Walkway. Eila and Kristian wish that cyclists had their own paths, so that pedestrians did not have to worry about bikes swooshing by.