In addition to the other 10 things a Senior should not do, falling is strictly forbidden. Your immediate and most important objective at this stage in your life is to stay upright on your feet. It’s bad enough when a young person falls and damages him or herself. When an oldie falls, the consequences can be disastrous. Old bones don’t heal quickly; torn muscles and tendons cannot be fixed. I can cite any number of falls where the victim never fully recovered or if he or she did recover, they were never the same again. Crack or break a bone in your back and see how long it takes to heal.
So I walk with my head down; I watch for changes in the floor or sidewalk levels when I am outside; I look for those treacherous two inch steps that building laws ban but which are the favorites of building contractors who get their floor levels wrong and adjust them with secret little steps.
Of course there are falls that are harmless. You get up, shake the dust off and continue on your way. Others are not as innocuous – you may be unconscious or have hit your head on the concrete and broken bones in your face. You may land up in hospital having surgery. Don’t fall.
Falling is the second leading cause of accidental death worldwide and is a major cause of personal injury, especially for the elderly. The World Health Organization estimates that 424,000 people die in falls every year. Don’t fall.
If you are taking medications, be extra careful – some of pills make it even easier for you to keel over. Do yourself a favor – don’t fall!
