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How do you feel about falling?

Aging Well | Last Active: Feb 26 11:30am | Replies (190)

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@scottrl

That's a good question! Thanks for asking.

Two parts, especially when I'm away from home:

1. Situational awareness. I pay close attention to the walking surface, like sidewalk cracks, debris, and especially changes in elevation. Even a slight tilt can make me wobbly. I also notice people around me, where they're headed, are they walking a dog, etc. (I listen behind me for the clicking of a dog's claws.) I walk very slowly, so I get overtaken a lot. I'm pretty big, so most people just avoid me, but children and young adults are just oblivious.

2. Self-awareness. For example, I know that as I tire, my foot drop gets worse, which increases my risk of tripping. So I pace myself, and make sure not to walk so far in one direction that I'll be too tired to walk back.

Around the house I feel safer, so I walk faster and more comfortably. But I've still come close to tripping or kicking something. My affected foot can take off in weird directions sometimes!

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Replies to "That's a good question! Thanks for asking. Two parts, especially when I'm away from home: 1...."

@scottrl Thank you for taking the time to write this helpful answer. It sounds like constant vigilance is what is needed, and perhaps after a bit that becomes second nature?