How do you feel about falling?

After several falls on uneven walkways, I find myself scared I’ll fall and it causes a mini panic attack. For years we always looked ahead of where we were walking, a couple feet to a block ahead. I can’t do that anymore. I must look at the ground in front of me and make sure I stop when I want to take a drink from my water bottle or coffee mug. If I don’t, I might fall (it’s happened).
Several years ago I fell 3 times in 5 months and each time went to my doctor for a sprained wrist. (My job required typing and using a mouse.) At the 3rd visit the nurse asked me if I was safe at home. It took me a moment to realize she was asking if I was being abused. I told her I live alone and recently hadn’t been able to walk and drink coffee at the same time. It sounds funny but a medication I take slows down my brain, making me “normal”, but I also “sundown” later in the day, making it difficult for me to concentrate, even doing simple tasks like walking home from work.
*sigh*

@thisismarilynb
It is now two years later and I am now 91 years old and still going strong.

@hraka13 I too was stumbling and falling way too often a few years ago. Part of it was intermittent vertigo, part inattention. Over the past 3 years, I have regularly done strengthening and balance exercises. Yesterday I tripped over a hose in the garden and was easily able to regain my footing without even a hint that I might fall. So I guess these are in my future for as long as I can do them.

In my opinion, it is never safe to physically drink anything while walking. These are two separate activities. Your attention is diverted, your face changes position, vision is mildly impaired ... and if you fall, you may have something hard against your teeth.

About tripping over a hose in the garden: Last year I broke my kneecap tripping over a lawnmower cord that was lying flat on the carport. The doctor told me that as we age, we lift our feet less when we walk. This happens very gradually, and unnoticed, but we can no longer assume that we will easily walk over something small. (Sometimes I feel as though everything is out to get me!)

@emaureen As a gardener, I am a very deliberate foot-lifter because there are so many tripping hazards. But, I was paying more attention to the pond I was working on than what was at my feet, and actually caught the hose with my lifted foot. Fortunately, no harm was done.

For the record, I have always been one who cannot walk and sip at the same time - even as a hiker, biker & runner for many years, I either used a hydration backpack with a sipper hose, or stopped to sip.

@sueinmn, I need to think about that as I walk. My immediate goal has been to be aware of obstructions in the walkway or street. Walking after dark can be the most difficult. I’ve learned how to use my phone as a flashlight as I’m walking but hold it close to my chest so I’m not distracted by it.

@hraka13 My son-in-law is a nighttime walker/jogger with their dog (as a busy Dad it is a time that works for the family.) He uses a headlamp, and adjusts it to light his path. We just came back from a trip where we camped in several very dark state parks, and decided to get them to put in our camper before the next trip. It is much safer to have one's hands free. (Besides, I would probably drop my phone and break it! 🫤

I order from Amazon very thin slipper socks with grips on the bottom. Have made a difference. I have about 10 wear in house. Gives barefoot feeling and I feel a lot safer, no more skipping and good grips.

@1942marilyne way to go, as regular socks can be slippy, and it’s often too cold in winter to do inside things barefoot.

1) I don't live where there is ice in winter.
2) I do core, strength and balance exercises; stretching, and walk and hike as much as possible.
3) I always use handrails if they are available.
4) I look down and around me.
5) I keep my weight down to normal.
6) I just use common sense and know my limitations as I age.
7) I wear reasonable well fitting shoes.