How to prevent trips and falls

This is a picture of my parents on their 50th wedding anniversary in 2011. Even though on that celebration they were celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss, I never really thought of them as old. Heck, I didn’t really think of myself as old.

But, as an empty nest mom that apparently puts me in a certain “age” demographic whether I’m aware of it or like it. I know the word “age” is sometimes a dirty word. Especially when my age “bracket” is the last choice on some questionnaire and it asks for your “age range.”

Yes, being an empty nester puts me in the age bracket of having aging parents. It does make sense that since I’m getting older, they are as well. As I stated earlier though, I never thought of my parents as old.

However, that fact became more apparent the year following their 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was in September 2012 that my mom suffered her first stroke, with another before the year 2012 ended in December. And before the doctors determined that heart Afib was the culprit that was robbing her of her health and time.

I soon discovered that it was important for my wellness of mind to be aware of the changes going on with my aging parents. I became more aware of the medications they were taking, the doctor’s appointments they needed to keep, the daily household chores and errands that they needed.

I also became more vastly aware that for the most part, society doesn’t really cater to the aged very well especially if they have limited hand mobility which is one of the hindrances my mom has had to overcome. Packages are hard to open. Clothing is hard for her to maneuver. Even buying a simple pair of shoes can be a difficult task because finding a perfect pair that she can put on unassisted is tricky.

As both of my parents get older, according to the recent information at
The Recall Center, they are more prone to slips and falls. Of course, with my mom’s very limited mobility due to her stroke, I became very aware of this. However, even this website made me more aware of other things I should put on my “trip and fall radar”.

As quoted on their website, “With a third of people age 65 and older reporting a fall each year and two-thirds of that number falling again within six months, falling poses a significant risk to seniors in their daily lives. In fact, falling is the most common cause of injury-related deaths in those age 65 and older and leads to the majority of their lifetime injury costs”

I know the wellness of life my parents during their “Winter” years will be a challenge. But it can be one filled with hope and safety if we are vigilant to stay and be aware of our surroundings and ever changing needs.

I encourage you to hop over to their website and read some hints that will help you to help the ones you love.

The Recall Center also has a nice little info graphic as well with the hints.

Hugs and feathers from the nest~~()~~

Kim Steadman is the COOP (Chief Online Operating Person) for The Re-Feathered Nest. A place of encouragement for moms entering the Empty Nest Zone who are ready to RePurpose and ReDesign their lives now that the kids have flown the coop. Kim can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheRefeatheredNest and on Google+ at +Kim.