Today, in the northern hemisphere, it is the first day of fall.
When many of us think of the word fall, what do we see in our minds?
Corn stalks, pumpkins, and winter squash?
Or do we see something feared more and more as we grow older?
This week (September 21-25) is National Falls Prevention week.
In 2015, after several falls, I took a falls prevention class. The class taught us exercises, and featured guest speakers, including physical therapists and a vision specialist.
But now, the coronavirus has put a temporary end to these type of classes. Now, our local Office of Aging has issued an Autumn Walking Challenge which started yesterday, and ends on October 30.
By signing up, my spouse and I received a packet with: "a log to record miles, tips on setting walking goals and preventing falls, information on using a pedometer to count steps" (both of us will depend on our iPhones to do that) and "creative ways to walk in your own home". (That last one is actually what convinced me to sign up.)
"All those who complete 12 miles or 12,000 steps are encouraged to enter our prize drawing by mailing their walking log to the Office of Aging". When we got the packet, the criteria was actually "those 55 plus who have walked 12 times or completed 12,000 steps". So, even if you are not in good physical shape, you can still participate.
On "Final Lap Fridays" you can visit the Office for Aging Facebook page and share a picture or post about your progress, if you are on social media.
We can't wait to get started.
I've blogged about falling several times. Here are several of the links.
We have to find alternate ways to exercise besides a gym (still have trepidations about being in an inside gym) and walking outside.
What about you? Are you thinking about the months ahead?
Thanks for the fall prevention reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
DeleteWhat a great idea to get the community involved and active and in some ways connected while doing it.
ReplyDeleteIt is - I'll be curious to know how many posts the Office of Aging will get to their Facebook page.
DeleteThe months ahead? Well, there's no sense thinking of the months behind, they were basically (with a few lowlights) pretty much the same! I know we are NOT going to decorate for Halloween, because I do NOT think parents should be bring their little children to stranger's doors right now! Decorations will make them think I am handing out candy.
ReplyDeleteFalls. My late mother fell quite a bit in her last years. I went over every morning to help her out, and a few times she was on the floor, just waiting for me. She'd had bunion surgery that left her unsteady. If one falls often, get one of those alerts you wear, my mother thought a cell phone would be good enough, but she didn't have it on her 100% of the time.
Lisa, late my mother in law fell so many times, and said her cell phone was enough (it wasn't) she subscribed to one of those "I've fallen" services and then never wore the pendant - we both could probably go on and on with this topic. We aren't going to do Halloween either - right now our Governor Cuomo is saying no statewide ban on Halloween and various state guidances are already released.
DeleteI fell full-face on the sidewalk on July 2. I didn't have the courage to start walking outside again until last week. Now I use a cane and watch for irregularities in the sidewalks/pavement with an eagle ete.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have also tripped on the sidewalk (I didn't seek medical attention but probably should have; my husband ended up in the ER and did permanent damage to his shoulders. Fortunately, I was with him when he fell.) The fall prevention classes did help me but they are not a cure.
Delete....it's fall(ing) all right!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is!
Delete*This* is fall prevention week? I'd laugh. It was one year ago (on the 23rd) when I had a really bad fall and was limping for weeks. I documented it on my blog at the time. Of course it would have happened in fall prevention week.
ReplyDeleteI've been using the Strava app to record my walks. (I'm getting in about 2 miles a day, although I'm not walking consistently.) It's a great way to record the route I took, which is what I really like.
I didn't know about the Strava app; I will have to check it out. I don't always have my iPhone on me and that's what I use, so I never record all the steps I take in a given day.
Delete