A simple but genius suggestion if you are at risk for falling

A simple walker for when you get up at night and may be drowsy and off balance would work well for you. When hiking at our home, I use walking sticks that my elk hunting husband has hanging in the garage. I also took "Stepping On" classes at one of the local schools in 2015. There are many useful balance exercises and other information. Keep you cell phone in your pocket at all times too. Best success to you and others reading my comment.

@smiles1951 Thanks for your input but I am not going to use a walker until I think I cannot walk safely.
In my opinion, and it may only be mine, that is one step closer to a wheelchair and I will keep walking as long as I can.
You also assumed I am not exercising. I have a series of exercises a PT gave me for strengthening and balance.
As far as walkers go my neighbor was using hers, during the day, when she stepped on the cat and lost her balance and fell backwards, cracking her head. If her daughter had not been home, it would have been a disaster.
Unlike a cell, even one in your pocket, the watch doesn’t need to be extracted from a pocket. It’s there on your wrist and easily used regardless of pockets or if it should fall away from you if you do fall.
The suggestion about the watch is, I think, very valuable for someone like me who lives alone. And, no one knows my capabilities better than I.

@christina3444 You took offense at a simple just "use a walker occasionally." I certainly didn't mean giving up walking. (smile) I use my husband's hunting walking sticks when climbing the steep hills behind our cabin, but does that mean I am that much closer to not being able to walk without them. NO, that would be a silly notion for this very fit myeloma patient. I will occasionally write to some. We are very very busy businesspeople. I have a Sewing Studio, piano, grandchildren, and love walking and helping others. I also have weekly doctor appointments that are necessary but steal a whole day from us due to distance traveling to Mayo Cancer Center.

@christina3444 @smiles1951
It's a wonderful concept to not use a mobility device until we need to. That said, I know that having the little bit of security of a help-aid was really a positive for me. As it became clearer that my knee wouldn't be getting better, and that the neuropathy in the other leg meant I wasn't sure where my foot was, my mind was better equipped to handle most situations.

Exercises for balance and endurance, watching how/where we are moving, are all important. We are each different, but the same in that we don't want to fall or lose our balance! Believe me, there's no shame in using a cane, or hiking stick, walker or wheelchair if that allows us to live our lives as best we can. A positive is I get to help educate young people how to move around someone who uses a mobility aid.
Ginger

I am surprised that the concept of adding an additional safety measure by simply recharging a watch in the morning, rather than at night, is not getting the recognition it deserves. It does not replace using a walker or a cane but adds to those. Personally I try no to use physical aids as much as possible to not become dependent on them. The use it or lose it mentality.

@normahorn Thanks for your comment. Unless or until I cannot judge how I feel for myself I am offended by “good intentions”.
Like you I use whatever aid I feel I need but lately I keep hearing from people who think they know better than I do what assistance I need.
I have used a cane for a couple of years whenever I know I will have to walk more than I can comfortably or if the terrain is uneven.
And, thanks for acknowledging the simple brilliance of the idea of wearing your Apple Watch to bed just in case you do need emergency help. As I mentioned in my post about that, my neighbors mother, WHO USES A WALKER, was leaving her bathroom during the day when she stepped on the cat and lost her footing and feel backwards. She cracked her head open and if her daughter had not been home it could have been disastrous.
When I told her daughter about the watch idea she thanked me and told me she was ordering one for her mother asap! And, she reiterated that the walker, while helpful, is no guarantee of not falling.
And, for anyone who assumed I do not exercise, I do. I have a stretching program I learned from a great PT at Mayo and a recumbent elliptical machine that I use at home. I will keep moving, as well as I can for as long as I can. And, I believe that until I absolutely need assistive devices I should not use them because they are like self fulfilling prophecies.
Personally, I find it pretty offensive when someone who knows what it’s like to have mobility problems assumes they know better than I do what I need in the way of assistance, especially when I did not ask for an opinion or suggestion but posted what I know is a simple and likely overlooked and simple safety idea.
Christina

@gingerw This is not meant for you, but all readers concerned with keeping mobile and not falling. "Stepping On" has been offered by our Community Ed for many years. I was only in my 50's but took it so I could help an older sibling who lived four hours from us. The class was once a week for two hours for six weeks 30 minutes from our home. A time commitment, but well worth it. Rule 1 of the class was when we had an open discussion, "What you shared in the class, stayed in the class."

@smiles1951 It sounds like you are an exceptional sibling!
I think a lot of Community Centers around the country have similar programs and classes (usually at no cost or very little cost) for seniors that want to work on balance and mobility issues.
And, that’s a great rule that must have encouraged sharing.

Charge your wearables in the morning (not overnight).

Brilliantly simple and effective tip, @christina3444. Thank you for spreading the safety tip of charging one’s wearable devices (Apple Watch or other safety device) in the morning rather than overnight. Please thank your Mayo nurse for the tip. I’ve already shared it loved ones in my family for whom this is applicable.

What a brilliant idea. How has it worked for you so far?