SENIOR MOMENT: Please help me I’m falling

By BETTY MUNSEY/Columnist

A friend currently carries her arm in a sling after falling onto concrete while playing with her grandchild. She’s fortunate that her injuries weren’t more severe. A relative fell inside her home and was forced to lay there until her husband returned to lift her from the floor. Thankfully her injuries were confined to bruising and swelling with no broken bones.
Folks our age carry scars from various sources and situations. These symbols of courage may have originated with a C-section, a hip replacement, a broken bone, or perhaps a car wreck. Knee and elbow scars probably linger from childhood accidents on our bicycles, roller skates or running too fast in gravels. In our younger days we’d practically bounce back from falls, dusting off the dirt and rarely worrying about injuries.
If only that were true for our senior falls. Of the one in three seniors who fall each year, thankfully most are not injured seriously; whereas, some never completely recover from their accidents.
Why do seniors fall more often than our younger counterparts?  Experience has taught us to clear pathways of such hazards as broom handles, grandchildren’s toys and magazines with slick covers. We depend upon nightlights or flashlights to light our way through dark areas for late-night bathroom trips. And we’re cautious to remove household hazards such as scatter rugs, electrical cords and general clutter that block our walkways.
Our balance is not as good as it once was causing instability when rising from a seated position. Some of our medical conditions and medications we take may add to our unsteadiness.  We’re advised to tell our doctor about any history of falling or almost-mishaps and ask them for a review of our medications and possible side effects that may be linked to falling.
Staying stationary will prevent falls, but who wants to spend the rest of his life in one position? Yes, old age and its unique problems are creeping up on all of us, so we must stay active as long as possible. Some seniors feel more stable walking with a three-prong cane; whereas, some ingenious seniors carry a broom or a golf club for self defense as well as stability.  Properly installed grab bars and non-slip flooring in the tub and shower area increase safety in the bath area. Beware when using bath oil, hair dyes or conditioners as they make the tub surface quite slippery.
Wearing sensible, properly fitting shoes helps prevent falls. Rather than wearing slick or extra-thick sole shoes, use low-heel ones with nonskid soles. Walking in stocking feet on highly waxed floors may remind us of our last time on ice skates with the same disastrous results.
Making minor lifestyle alterations such as installing non-slip treads on wooden steps and handrails on stairways is a good investment of time and money and can insure a safer fall-free future.
A retired Extension agent, Betty Munsey lives and farms in Bland County.