This morning, shortly after awakening, I received a text from a co worker texting our department.
Her 98 year old aunt had fallen earlier in the week, sustaining multiple injuries. Until the fall, she had been enjoying life, still (in my co-worker's words) kicking "azz".The aunt lived in assisted living and I don't know the exact details of her fall But the falling was enough.
The aunt passed away last night.
This reminded me of one of a series of posts I've written over the years about falling
As much as the Stepping On program falls prevention program
I participated in during 2015 taught me, there is something that they
never touched on. Not directly, anyway. My guess is, it isn't part of
the official curriculum they must follow. I think falling education has to face something head-on.
That issue is fear.
Fear of falling.
It's real, and it's timely, as winter is coming.
At one of the first classes I took, the two instructors asked us "How many of
you don't go out during the winter unless you absolutely have to?" More
than half raised their hands. In upstate New York, winters are cold
and harsh, with lots of ice and snow. We can get over 100 inches of
snow (254 cm) in a year. If you don't go out, you are isolated.
But if you have to go out, there are icy sidewalks to deal with. We've all fallen on them.
I'm only in my late 60's, and I am increasingly afraid of winter. I have my spouse. But how many people live alone, or with spouses or
partners who suffer physical or health issues?
I refuse to accept that becoming fearful is a normal part of aging. But
falling seems to be all around me, and this is the latest example.
My spouse fell in October of 2017 and broke his nose, among other
injuries. He needed months of physical therapy. He was lucky.
My mother in law, who passed away in 2018, fell a number of
times, starting in her 60's. Eventually, the cumulative injuries led to
her loss of independence.
I think we all have stories - ourselves, loved ones, friends.
It shouldn't have to be like this, in your final years.
May the memory of my co worker's late aunt be for a blessing.
My late mother had poorly done bunion surgeries, and fell quite a bit in the last few years of her life. She'd call me (if she could), or since I went over daily, even wait on the floor for me. Once I called the fire department, I wasn't going to risk pulling her up wrong. A fall is what did her in. She was down all night in a gown, and while they did revive her (she was unconscious when I came over) they told her she'd never live alone again, due to her body "saving" her organs at the expense of her extremities. I slipped on ice a few years ago and needed the help of physical therapy to walk without babying myself and making the pain last. Falls are not funny, yet we see social media posts about them like they're jokes. Or, even in the Funniest Video television show.
ReplyDeleteHow sad to be enjoying life for nearly 100 years and then end it all by a fall.
...I just received word that a 75 year women that graduated from high school with me died!
ReplyDeleteI worry a lot about falling. I fell three times at work during the last year before I retired. I dislocated my thumb during one of the falls. I am very cautious.
ReplyDeleteMy doctor advised me to not be falling.
ReplyDeleteLike anyone would fall on purpose. I too am afraid of falling.
Final years? I was only 21 when I slipped on an icy Detroit sidewalk and broke my leg. I turned 75 on Thursday and I am still terrified of slippery walks. A neighbor called esrlier today to tell me thst another neighr, only 68, fell on Wednesday and broke his back. He fell two years ago and broke his hip. Falling is a very real danger no matter your age. As my yoga instructor used to say, you need to be aware of your body when you are moving.
ReplyDeleteI have Yak Trax to wear in the winter on my snowboots, I am afraid of falling too because it hurts!
ReplyDeleteI am fearful of falling, too.
ReplyDeleteVery sad. My father's wife fell and broke her leg a couple months ago. She's still recovering.
ReplyDeleteI am sometimes unsteady on my feet and I do worry about falling, thinking about potential injuries and the long road to recovery from them. I think it is a common worry as we grow older.
ReplyDeleteUy siempre hay que tener cuidado pero los accidentes pasan .
ReplyDeleteI can't promise myself I'll never fall, especially on ice. I can promise myself I'll get enough weight-bearing exercise to maintain bone mass, so falling on the ice is only something to giggle sheepishly about. *In theory.*
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