@rollingf, I’m “only” 63 and have had that same problem for a couple decades. It’s just gotten worse over the last 5 years or so.
I haven’t remind myself to stop walking if I want to take a drink of my coffee or water. If I tried around to look at something, I stop first, turn around to look, then turn back around and start walking again. Walking in the dark, especially with the condition of city sidewalks and streets, is especially hazardous. I have to look at the ground a foot or 2 in front of me instead of scanning ahead like I used to.
Part of it is my medication. The rest? I’m not sure. My niece is a PT and she worries, especially since I fell 3 times in 2 days, all 3 times due to uneven or rocky surfaces.
*sigh* We just have to take it slower now. The alternative is to not go out, don’t enjoy nature, stay at home. I’m a homebody but inner human contact and fresh air too.
Oh, and don’t wear hard soled shoes. They don’t forgive when you step on an uneven or rocky surface. My hiking boots are the worst as they’re made for trail hiking not city walking.
@hraka13 Trekking poles! They are a life saver on uneven surfaces, especially in hiking boots/shoes. Was recently on a hike in Italy where everyone, including the guide, were required to use at least one. There are tips for trails, sidewalks, soft ground, even ice and snow - and they need not cost a lot - my current ones cost less than $25 per pair on line.
These are better than a cane because they keep you upright, not leaning or twisted to one side.
@rollingf, I’m “only” 63 and have had that same problem for a couple decades. It’s just gotten worse over the last 5 years or so.
I haven’t remind myself to stop walking if I want to take a drink of my coffee or water. If I tried around to look at something, I stop first, turn around to look, then turn back around and start walking again. Walking in the dark, especially with the condition of city sidewalks and streets, is especially hazardous. I have to look at the ground a foot or 2 in front of me instead of scanning ahead like I used to.
Part of it is my medication. The rest? I’m not sure. My niece is a PT and she worries, especially since I fell 3 times in 2 days, all 3 times due to uneven or rocky surfaces.
*sigh* We just have to take it slower now. The alternative is to not go out, don’t enjoy nature, stay at home. I’m a homebody but inner human contact and fresh air too.
Oh, and don’t wear hard soled shoes. They don’t forgive when you step on an uneven or rocky surface. My hiking boots are the worst as they’re made for trail hiking not city walking.
@hraka13 , I have been to the Orthodontist who prescribed heavy, thick, hard shoes with special liners in them. I have been diabetic since 1991, and have lost the first bone of my right big toe two years ago. However, the toe surgery was not due to diabetes. We went to Scotland with a stop over in Iceland. The big attraction is the Blue Lagoon. It is the cooling pond (hot tub for us humans) for the geothermal power plant. I had about half of my family with me on the trip--children and grandchildren for a total of 18 of us in Scotland. At the Blue Lagoon are two signs I chose to ignore. The first: "Diabetics should not go into the pool" and the second: "1.5 million people from around the world visited last year". The second sign really meant "even though we clean the pool completely twice a year, strange bugs (bacteria) live in the water and may be harmful to you!" I had a blister on my right toe from walking. We spent an hour in the water and relaxed. So did the blister! We had fun in Scotland but walking soon became painful. The Friday before we were set to leave, I woke up in pain and my right foot was bright red and starting to up my leg. I spent the next two days in the hospital in Inverness. They (the doctors) had me on an IV of antibacterial antibiotics. My oldest son was listed as my health (medical Power of Attorney) assistant. We needed to leave on Sunday to get back home for his job. The Doctors said okay because they needed to switch me to pills from an IV. The Doctor also said, when you get home go immediately to the hospital. I did and then the true comedy errors began. But that is another story.
@hraka13 Trekking poles! They are a life saver on uneven surfaces, especially in hiking boots/shoes. Was recently on a hike in Italy where everyone, including the guide, were required to use at least one. There are tips for trails, sidewalks, soft ground, even ice and snow - and they need not cost a lot - my current ones cost less than $25 per pair on line.
These are better than a cane because they keep you upright, not leaning or twisted to one side.
@sueinmn, most of my walking right nit is to go shopping so I have my Strolee cart. I just have to make sure I am back before dark as out coastal towns don’t have much street light off the highway.
My previous falls usually were from very uneven sidewalks or holes in the sidewalks or streets, often after dark. I wear a backpack and that sometimes “propels” me forward when I’m falling. *sigh*
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Keep walking on uneven surfaces- just carefully! It trains your brain to do the micro balance adjustments we need as we age.
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3 ReactionsI am careful and turn slowly.
@hraka13 Trekking poles! They are a life saver on uneven surfaces, especially in hiking boots/shoes. Was recently on a hike in Italy where everyone, including the guide, were required to use at least one. There are tips for trails, sidewalks, soft ground, even ice and snow - and they need not cost a lot - my current ones cost less than $25 per pair on line.
These are better than a cane because they keep you upright, not leaning or twisted to one side.
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2 Reactions@hraka13 , I have been to the Orthodontist who prescribed heavy, thick, hard shoes with special liners in them. I have been diabetic since 1991, and have lost the first bone of my right big toe two years ago. However, the toe surgery was not due to diabetes. We went to Scotland with a stop over in Iceland. The big attraction is the Blue Lagoon. It is the cooling pond (hot tub for us humans) for the geothermal power plant. I had about half of my family with me on the trip--children and grandchildren for a total of 18 of us in Scotland. At the Blue Lagoon are two signs I chose to ignore. The first: "Diabetics should not go into the pool" and the second: "1.5 million people from around the world visited last year". The second sign really meant "even though we clean the pool completely twice a year, strange bugs (bacteria) live in the water and may be harmful to you!" I had a blister on my right toe from walking. We spent an hour in the water and relaxed. So did the blister! We had fun in Scotland but walking soon became painful. The Friday before we were set to leave, I woke up in pain and my right foot was bright red and starting to up my leg. I spent the next two days in the hospital in Inverness. They (the doctors) had me on an IV of antibacterial antibiotics. My oldest son was listed as my health (medical Power of Attorney) assistant. We needed to leave on Sunday to get back home for his job. The Doctors said okay because they needed to switch me to pills from an IV. The Doctor also said, when you get home go immediately to the hospital. I did and then the true comedy errors began. But that is another story.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@sueinmn, most of my walking right nit is to go shopping so I have my Strolee cart. I just have to make sure I am back before dark as out coastal towns don’t have much street light off the highway.
My previous falls usually were from very uneven sidewalks or holes in the sidewalks or streets, often after dark. I wear a backpack and that sometimes “propels” me forward when I’m falling. *sigh*