1. < Aging Well

How do you feel about falling?

Posted by Steph-Words That Fly @stephcarney, Jan 7 9:05pm

In the last two winters I've had two falls. The first was a series of three falls on an icy trail within 15 minutes resulting in a badly sprained wrist that took a looong time to recover from. Now I'm terrified of the ice or even slippery new snow, so I have four different sets of micro spikes.

Early last spring I fell down the steps (indoors) carrying my ailing dog to let her out in the middle of the night. She was fine. I was badly bruised in multiple places. Now, no socks on steps, carry only one thing and hold the rail. I manage steps very carefully.

I am paranoid about falling. Maybe I should practice falling correctly! What are your thoughts about falling? What do you do to prevent falls?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 8 10:06am
In reply to @ray666 "Hello! A question for which many of us have an answer: Have you ever worked with..." + (show)
@ray666

Hello!

A question for which many of us have an answer: Have you ever worked with a physical therapist who really understands your particular condition? I have had difficulty finding such a physical therapist. I'm 78, with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy; falling––or I should say, NOT falling––is 24/7 very much on my mind. Fortunately, I've not fallen, not in a long, long time. When doctors get that telltale glint in their eyes ("You may not have a problem then … "), I'm quick to tell them that my not having had a bad fall in recent years is due only to my having earned a Ph.D. in proprioception (I do at-home balance work every day). I want these doctors to understand that my not having fallen requires constant, focused vigilance on my part (which can be exhausting). The physical therapists I've worked with over the years––and they've been a baker's dozen, every one of them concerned, compassionate, and eager to help me––have, the moment they regard me as a person of 78, approached my balance issues as those of most any person of 78 (i.e., "old"). I've had a devil of a time getting them to understand what a person––any person, regardless of age––who has idiopathic peripheral neuropathy feels (or DOESN'T feel in the soles of their feet) begs for a little extra understanding. Certainly, my age is a contributing factor, but my neuropathy is, too, perhaps the chief contributing factor.

I wish us all a good day!
Ray (@ray666)

Jump to this post

@ray666 Hello Ray- thanks for chiming in on this. You provide yet another example of how much we need to be our own advocates and describe our issues in great detail along with what we've tried and what has or has not worked. Physicians who are friends keep telling me that medicine is not an exact science though many practitioners may treat it as so. Because I have vestibular issues, I too attempt to practice balancing exercises daily to retrain proprioceptive senses. Because I also have occasional vertigo, his often results in momentary episode of dizziness and slight nausea. As my mother often said, "Getting old is not for the faint of heart, but it sure beats the alternative." And so, we carry on the best we can. Ray, do you follow a particular routine for your balancing exercises? As a one-time yoga teacher, I used to encourage people to brush their teeth twice a day while standing on one foot!

REPLY
1 reply
Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 8 10:09am
In reply to @pacathy "I agree with the advice given. I think it’s also important to work on strength and..." + (show)
@pacathy

I agree with the advice given. I think it’s also important to work on strength and balance. Classes for seniors at gym, physical therapy and yoga with an instructor familiar with seniors are good options to learn and practice it.

Jump to this post

@pacathy Absolutely! Maintaining strength is super important. I live in a very rural area of New Hampshire in the US. Does anyone use links to online practices for balance and strengthening that you like?

REPLY
1 reply
thisismarilynb | @thisismarilynb | Jan 8 10:20am

Two years ago I had a complete hip replacement. In my case my surgeon sees my every year for forever. Last year he chided me for using a cane. He said it was not necessary. However it is necessary for me because I am afraid of falling. So what did I do? In full daylight, I walked into an ottoman which sent me to the floor heavily. Thankfully nothing was broken but I suffered bruised ribs. It took a couple of months for them to heal. As most of you, I try to be cognizant of where I am walking and will still continue to use my cane in spite of what my surgeon says.

REPLY
1 reply
Scott R L | @scottrl | Jan 8 10:25am
In reply to @stephcarney "@scottrl Thank you for taking the time to write this helpful answer. It sounds like constant..." + (show)
@stephcarney

@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?

Jump to this post

Yes, I have slowly built up confidence, especially in the past year or so. I'm not nearly as terrified about walking as I used to be.

It feels great to be regaining stamina and independence!

REPLY
1 reply
SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Jan 8 10:29am

I have a rare disease called Ataxia. My balance has gotten worse over the past 6 months so I’m forced to use a walker every time I leave the house.
My doctor will be sending me for physical therapy soon I hope.

I hate this, there’s no cure because it’s caused by atrophy in the cerebellum.

REPLY
1 reply
Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Jan 8 10:35am
In reply to @stephcarney "@ray666 Hello Ray- thanks for chiming in on this. You provide yet another example of how..." + (show)
@stephcarney

@ray666 Hello Ray- thanks for chiming in on this. You provide yet another example of how much we need to be our own advocates and describe our issues in great detail along with what we've tried and what has or has not worked. Physicians who are friends keep telling me that medicine is not an exact science though many practitioners may treat it as so. Because I have vestibular issues, I too attempt to practice balancing exercises daily to retrain proprioceptive senses. Because I also have occasional vertigo, his often results in momentary episode of dizziness and slight nausea. As my mother often said, "Getting old is not for the faint of heart, but it sure beats the alternative." And so, we carry on the best we can. Ray, do you follow a particular routine for your balancing exercises? As a one-time yoga teacher, I used to encourage people to brush their teeth twice a day while standing on one foot!

Jump to this post

@stephcarney Good morning, Steph! Like many of us, I've purchased a few dozen books over the years, just about every new book that comes along about improving balance. Most of those books I've since discarded or misplaced; one that I still have: is Carol Clements's "Better Balance for Life." I've not referred to that book recently; however, I've been doing the online balance work led by Lesley French (Perth, Australia) that (oddly enough) has the same name: "Better Balance for Life." I should do Lesley's classes with more diligence, but at least I do what I can, as much as I can, as many days of the week as I can. Consistency––in balance training, flexibility, and strength––appear to be the keys to success. They're also fantastic practices for the spirit! ––Ray (@ray666)

REPLY
1 reply
Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 8 11:03am
In reply to @scottrl "Yes, I have slowly built up confidence, especially in the past year or so. I'm not..." + (show)
@scottrl

Yes, I have slowly built up confidence, especially in the past year or so. I'm not nearly as terrified about walking as I used to be.

It feels great to be regaining stamina and independence!

Jump to this post

@scottrl Good for you Scott! I think that seeing progress is the best motivator possible!

REPLY
walk4life | @walk4life | Jan 8 11:13am

I work with a personal trainer once a week. Some of my exercises focus on improving balance. Lifting a weight while stanfing on one leg, etc. We also do exercise on the floor and practice getting up . I am working on getting up without using my hands to push up.

REPLY
1 reply
Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 8 12:52pm
In reply to @thisismarilynb "Two years ago I had a complete hip replacement. In my case my surgeon sees my..." + (show)
@thisismarilynb

Two years ago I had a complete hip replacement. In my case my surgeon sees my every year for forever. Last year he chided me for using a cane. He said it was not necessary. However it is necessary for me because I am afraid of falling. So what did I do? In full daylight, I walked into an ottoman which sent me to the floor heavily. Thankfully nothing was broken but I suffered bruised ribs. It took a couple of months for them to heal. As most of you, I try to be cognizant of where I am walking and will still continue to use my cane in spite of what my surgeon says.

Jump to this post

@thisismarilynb Sounds like your surgeon lacks a certain amount of sensitivity to the concerns of older folks. Whether you use the cane or not, you're still moving, stretching, getting exercise, just with a greater measure of security. You are in charge of your own health, mobility and sense of what is safe for you. Good for you!
💜 Stephanie

REPLY
Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 8 1:01pm
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "I have a rare disease called Ataxia. My balance has gotten worse over the past 6..." + (show)
@SusanEllen66

I have a rare disease called Ataxia. My balance has gotten worse over the past 6 months so I’m forced to use a walker every time I leave the house.
My doctor will be sending me for physical therapy soon I hope.

I hate this, there’s no cure because it’s caused by atrophy in the cerebellum.

Jump to this post

@SusanEllen66 I'm sorry to hear about your ataxia diagnosis; I understand that can be both daunting and discouraging. And, depending where you are, the winter months are hard to navigate with a walker, particularly in rural NH where I live. I hope that you are able to begin physical therapy soon. Are you familiar with the National Ataxia Foundation? Below is a link to that organization and to some exercises you might consider trying until you're able to begin some PT.
https://www.ataxia.org/11-exercises-for-ataxia-patients/

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.