Watch Your Step

Hi.
I’m an active senior and recently one of my golf partners took a nasty fall. At our age there is always that concern about banging our heads, or landing hard on a shoulder, hip or knee. Sad but true:  “old age isn't for sissies. ”  But how many of us think that applies to us? Certainly not me! Hmm…let me re-phrase that: it hadn’t occurred to me until I broke my back in a fluke accident and got a wake-up call.  

There are enough stories out there about falling and not being able to get to a phone (particularly worrisome for people who value their independence and are living alone), simple tumbles that cause complicated and multi-surgery joint injuries, slipping in the shower, etc. that it makes sense to at least get somewhat informed about all this.

Be Prepared – it’s as true today as when I was earning merit badges for my Girl Scout sash.

When you go for a wellness checkup, is one of the questions you’re asked: “Have you fallen in the last  six months?”  If yes, here are a few articles you might want to read, and some information about medical alert devices too. You may not think any of this actually applies to you - and it may not. But it could be useful for someone you know.

-Wendy Parker-Wood        

Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the U.S.—making falls the leading cause of injury and injury death in this age group.  One out of four adults will fall each year in the United States, making falls a public health concern, particularly among the aging population.