I am 72 years old and still active, even though I have had left shoulder, hip, and knee replacements. My right side is “getting there,” as the doctors say. And I am terrified of falling! I have considered staying in my safe bedroom but there is an entire world out there to explore.

It started three years ago when I turned quickly on the grass, lost my balance, and landed face-first in a rose bush. A few facial stitches later and a new hip, here I am. Then my family started to fall—my husband down the steps, my sister playing pickleball, and my two dearest friends falling outside.

I obsess about fall prevention. I have read articles that provide different statistics, but the message is clear: Just like we protected our children and grandchildren in our homes when they were young, we NEED to practice fall prevention wherever possible for ourselves and those we love. I am sharing the below a quote from the National Institute of Aging:

“A simple accident like tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can change your life. If you fall, you could break a bone, which thousands of older adults experience each year. For older people, a broken bone can also be the start of more serious health problems and can lead to long-term disability.”

Because it contains information on fall prevention, I encourage you to read the entire article: “Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention.”

Lessons Learned

Lesson # 1
Protect your entire home—every room in your house. For example, we have double railings on our stairs, allowing a firm hand grip when we carry something up and down stairs. The lesson learned is there are those we cannot control, like my husband who (a) fell down the wooden steps in his socks NOT holding on to the railing and had to go to the trauma bay, get stitches, and physical therapy for weeks, and (b) who, after this nasty fall, still walks down the steps not holding on to a railing when he is carrying something. Please realize that sometimes all we can do is just say something. You know the saying: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”

Lesson # 2
I love shoes, all types. I had on a pair of shoes that I really liked when I fell, but they were not sturdy. My two dear friends who fell outside had sturdy sandals on; they simply tripped. I am now obsessed with looking at seniors and what shoes they are wearing. Ninety-five percent of the time I wear sneakers, even with skirts and dresses. The lesson learned for me is that I know I need foot stability, even if it is not stylish. Plus, now I try not to talk too much (especially on the phone) when I am walking, and I look four to six feet in front of myself.

Lesson # 3
Humpty Dumpty did fall off the wall. What do we know about the wall? Was Humpty a senior? Was he sitting on an icy, wet, slippery, thin wall? Did he have proper footwear on? How high was the wall? Was it autumn with slippery leaves on the ground? The lesson learned is that we need to be vigilant and observant. Are we dressed for the weather? That means our footwear as well! I love cute boots, but if they do not have a good solid tread, cute does not matter when I break a hip.

Lesson # 4
There is a great deal to learn. Insurance companies (like Medicare), local hospitals, and senior centers, can all provide information and resources for you. Many of these resources will even come out to your home and give you fall prevention tips. Decide for yourself or your loved one what makes sense. If you move out of your current home, make sure that your new living environment is fall-proof.

Please have a healthy and safe autumn!—Judi Painter