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

Posted by christina3444 @christina3444, Dec 18, 2025

I have PV/JAK2 and take HU. I also have neuropathy in my feet and I’m 78 and have a bad back. I have trouble walking or standing for any length of time.
Yesterday I saw a doctor at Mayo so he could assess whether or not Im a candidate for a newer treatment for neuropathy, Scrambler. In the course of that visit he noticed I wear an Apple Watch and he suggested instead of charging it at bedtime that I wear it to bed so that when I get up during the night, if I should fall, it will alert emergency services! “Charge it after you get up in AM while you have your coffee.”
He gave credit for the idea to a nurse.
I live alone and while I am especially careful when I do get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, I loved this simple way for me to get help, if necessary.
Please share it with anyone you know at risk of falling, especially if they live alone.

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christina3444 | @christina3444 | Jan 1 5:53pm

In reply to @heater "What a brilliant idea. How has it worked for you so far?" + (show)

@heater Hello. As silly as it sounds Im having trouble remembering to charge the watch once I’m up having coffee! Force of habit is hard to change.
My solution is to set up the charger next to my iPad which is what I reach for after a cup of coffee.
Otherwise, it’s given me a sense of protection whether it’s about a possible fall in the night or some other situation that might make it difficult to reach for my phone. And, I think it’s made me more careful when I do get up during the night.
Thanks for your support and happy new year!

dax1million | @dax1million | Jan 2 12:24am

I encourage everyone with a smart phone to be sure and put Siri or whatever is available on your phone. I have a older friend that got up in the night to use the bathroom and fell just as she got out of bed and couldn’t get to her phone which was out of reach so she ask Siri to call 911 on the speaker. There has been people in car accidents and couldn’t reach their phone but was saved by having Siri call 911 on the speaker.

trijacks | @trijacks | Jan 3 11:12am

In reply to @dax1million "I encourage everyone with a smart phone to be sure and put Siri or whatever is..." + (show)

@dax1million Also make sure that anyone you might want Siri to call is included in your contact list - name and phone number.

Patty, Volunteer Mentor | @pmm | Jan 3 1:40pm

In reply to @dax1million "I encourage everyone with a smart phone to be sure and put Siri or whatever is..." + (show)

@dax1million excellent! Conversely, be careful not to say things in conversation that might make poor Siri think you are asking her to call EMS if you are having a spirited round of charades. My spouse definitely didn’t ask her to call. To her credit, she did ask before she actually called them.
Great tip!

christina3444 | @christina3444 | Jan 3 2:47pm

In reply to @pmm "@dax1million excellent! Conversely, be careful not to say things in conversation that might make poor Siri..." + (show)

@pmm Yes, I too have found AI doesn’t have any sense of humor!

Patty, Volunteer Mentor | @pmm | Jan 3 3:34pm

In reply to @christina3444 "@pmm Yes, I too have found AI doesn’t have any sense of humor!" + (show)

@christina3444 AMEN.

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