Preventing fragile fractures in the elderly during winter: Expert Elderly people are more likely to fall prey to fragile fractures during winters, which is why they need to be extra careful. Dr Manish Sontakke explains what you can do to mitigate the risk. Preventing fragile fractures in the elderly during winter: Expert Fragile fractures occur in any bone after a fall or trip from a standing height or less, that results in broken bones. Elderly people are more likely to fall prey to such conditions during winters as they tend to wake up multiple times in the night to urinate. Due to their weak muscles and bones, they are more likely to suffer from fragile fractures just from a mere fall.