How do you feel about falling?

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.

@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)

@ray666 Thanks for your encouraging words and recommendations Ray. I looked up Leslie French- she's energetic, encouraging and pretty buff! And you're right, all of these classes are so good for the spirit. For balance work, I like this free practice by Dr. John Saunders which is actually for vestibular rehab. It's quick and complete. I'll do it every day for a couple of weeks then take a break for a week or two (okay, sometimes for a month!) and then pick it up again. I think you're right, consistency is key. Thanks for your reply!

If you're interested, you can find that practice here, and there's a PDF in the comments if you want to print out the exercises:

Every comment posted on this thread is worth reading!
A few household things I've done:
Added a second handrail on the stairs.
Added non-slip carpet treads to the stairs.
Added grab bars in showers and by toilet.
Made sure all rugs are glued to the floor (double sided carpet tape).
Improved the sidewalk from the parking lot to our home.
Some behavior changes:
I use a walking staff when walking the dog, especially needed in the woods.
I try to stop my habit of carrying as many things a possible to "save trips." (More safe trips mean more exercise!)
I work to be aware of my posture, balance and movement (Alexander technique is one way.)
We all need to keep moving... gracefully, intelligently, one beautiful step at a time, many times.

Every comment posted on this thread is worth reading!
A few household things I've done:
Added a second handrail on the stairs.
Added non-slip carpet treads to the stairs.
Added grab bars in showers and by toilet.
Made sure all rugs are glued to the floor (double sided carpet tape).
Improved the sidewalk from the parking lot to our home.
Some behavior changes:
I use a walking staff when walking the dog, especially needed in the woods.
I try to stop my habit of carrying as many things a possible to "save trips." (More safe trips mean more exercise!)
I work to be aware of my posture, balance and movement (Alexander technique is one way.)
We all need to keep moving... gracefully, intelligently, one beautiful step at a time, many times.

Great suggestions.
We "incorporated" the toilet grab bars into the decor of our bathroom by using a metal that matches our other hardware and then using them as towel bars. Nobody needs to know about the "helpers".
Sue

@sueinmn Brilliant solution! Thanks for this great idea!

Actually - in 3 bathrooms now, 2 bath house up north, and tiny home down south.
My brother finally noticed when visiting in December - I'm sure he will be installing them after his latest knee replacement.
Sue

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)