Seniors & Falls - Fall Prevention, Exercises, Quality of Life, Overcome Fear of Falling

[GreatGazoo]

3. A good friend, 70YO, fell two weeks ago

and now has inoperable spine injury. Scary as heck. Especially this time of year.

For many in assisted living or similar environments, a fall with injuries sets them up for a UTI because they wind up in bed or othewise not walking for an extended period of time. UTIs can produce mental health impairments (mood swings, confusion, hallucinations, agitation) which are becoming better understood but remain yet another threat to independent living.

Falls are absolutely something we all need to be aware of, to avoid and to minimize the effects of. I was taught how to fall the best ways in sports like skiing and volleyball. Decades later it has helped me on a couple occasions in that split second when you know you are falling and you want to react my grabbing for something, stiffening or extending your arms and hands outward. Better to kind of roll with it. Your head, hands and spine are the worst things to take that first impact. Watch toddlers! We all knew how to do it at a young age.

Choice of shoes makes a difference in prevention too.