Curious - How Old Is Everybody?

[Point Break]

I'm amazed at the amount, that the over 65 crowd fall. Seems to be a common occurrence in more then a few of the geezer groups I'm in, with many falling regularly on a weekly and monthly basis, tearing rotator cuffs, spraining and breaking wrists and so forth.

Need to survey your paths, to assure you don't fall. That's what I do always, only falling a couple times in the past four and a half years, and when I have fallen, never try and catch myself and cause more of an injury.

Learned how to fall long ago for self preservation in my trade. Just go with the fall and roll or do a lower arm or hand slap. Plenty of videos on Youtube to show you how to fall properly. We don't want to risk breaking a hip at this point, and more so as we age.

Falling Safely

It’s a big deal in our retirement communities. So much that the local hospital and our engine companies put on fall prevention programs on their CCTV channel, live at gatherings in their clubhouses, and we’ll do “fall prevention inspections” in their homes at their request. Surprisingly - or maybe not - throw rugs are big killers.

 

[bmiller]

I'm this old. When photos had a border and date.

 

[boomer]

It’s a big deal in our retirement communities. So much that the local hospital and our engine companies put on fall prevention programs on their CCTV channel, live at gatherings in their clubhouses, and we’ll do “fall prevention inspections” in their homes at their request. Surprisingly - or maybe not - throw rugs are big killers.

Quite right PB! Throw rugs have been identified as a major culprit in the research and science of falls by the CDC.


Each year, millions of older people - those 65 and older - fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.

• One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury,4,5
• Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.6
• Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.6
• Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.7
• More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling,8 usually by falling sideways.9
• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).10
• In 2015, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion.11 Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.

Many falls do not cause injuries. But one out of five falls does cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. These injuries can make it hard for a person to get around, do everyday activities, or live on their own.

• Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.
• Falls can cause head injuries. These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners). An older person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury.
• Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.

Research has identified many conditions that contribute to falling. These are called risk factors. Many risk factors can be changed or modified to help prevent falls. They include:

• Lower body weakness
• Vitamin D deficiency (that is, not enough vitamin D in your system)
• Difficulties with walking and balance
• Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet.
• Vision problems
• Foot pain or poor footwear
• Home hazards or dangers such as
  • broken or uneven steps, and
  • throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over.

Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors. The more risk factors a person has, the greater their chances of falling.


Healthcare providers can help cut down a person’s risk by reducing the fall risk factors listed above.


Falls can be prevented. These are some simple things you can do to keep yourself from falling.

Talk to Your Doctor​

• Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines.
• Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about taking vitamin D supplements.

Do Strength and Balance Exercises​

Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.

Have Your Eyes Checked​

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.
If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

Make Your Home Safer​

• Get rid of things you could trip over.
• Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
• Put railings on both sides of stairs.
• Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.
• Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.
• Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.

 

[WhoaTed]

I'm this old. When photos had a border and date.

View attachment 571429

That hose is a trip hazard.

 

[Snaggletooth]

That hose is a trip hazard.

thet wall lookes verrey 'snaggey'

 

[WhoaTed]

Only occasionally when wearing 5" heels on uneven pavement.

WTF, really? Taunting gravity right there, gravity bides it’s time. Enjoy your upcoming broken hip.

5” heels make great handles for helping “spread things”. Other than that, meh.

 

[Ed Lada]

5” inch heels make great handles for “opening things up”

I've seen a lot of things used as bottle openers, but 5" heels???

Oh. Wait...

 

[veni vidi vici]

Probably 54 or 55
Surrounded by spooks

 

[SloopJonB]

I used to trip over a lot. Now my wife calls it ‘having a fall’.

I've never been able to determine the age where "falling down" changes to "having a fall".

 

[Not My Real Name]

I used to trip over a lot. Now my wife calls it ‘having a fall’. I am 62 and I have seen more fucking doctors in the past 2 years than I did in the preceding 60.
If only I had treated my body more like a temple and less like a theme park.

Don't break a hip, mate.

 

[oldsurfer]

Old enough to work before child labor laws
If you weren't big enough to buck a bale
You drove tractor
Tried learning cursive in 2nd grade
Tried harder for straight lines in the field
Farmers are a tough bunch

 

[Latadjust]

 

[130lights]

Falling is only a minor danger.
It's the inability to get up that really fucks people...

I fell December 7…a dog with a UTI. So at 6am, in the dark, took her outdoors, slipped on black ice, the spray from Lake Michigan pretty much covers all ground surfaces. Thought it was a sprain, went to urgent care, non displaced fx fibula. See Ortho Trauma surgeon 12/14, ORIF surgery 12/15. Non weight bearing, hopping on one leg with walker. I refused crutches in snowy winter weather. Yesterday I was finally told I can bear weight using walker and wearing this 5 lb boot. Hopefully in another month I can return home. I live alone, so it wasn’t possible following surgery…moved in with my sister.

I’m grateful for no hip or wrist injuries. Never broken a bone in my life. Until that.

In 2013 I had a fall too, while taking plavix, a nasty combination . Had a brain bleed, SDH, followed by a craniotomy. That was scary. I always read about surgery beforehand, but couldn’t get thru that one. Freaked me out. I was left with a dent in my head, but everything else intact.

I’m grateful for these great medical teams that have put me back together. I tend to be very determined, and don’t let much slow me down.

Hardware:

 

[billy backstay]

Yikes!!! Hope you mend soon 130lights!! Reminds me of a friend of ours who had a similar fall and ankle injury, surgery with hardware, and also had to move in with her sister. Thoughts and prayers!!!

 

[4ktsb]

Me too!

With no hash tag. Cudos.

 

[130lights]

Yikes!!! Hope you mend soon 130lights!! Reminds me of a friend of ours who had a similar fall and ankle injury, surgery with hardware, and also had to move in with her sister. Thoughts and prayers!!!

Thanks much BB & @4ktsb !

 

[Point Break]

With my disease fractures are one of the things that worries me the most (other than dying of course). Myeloma eats bones. Spontaneous fractures are not uncommon. I’m doing all the things and taking the meds to avoid that because I need the time I have to remain very active. I wouldn’t do well “sitting”. It’s one of the reasons I gave up several activities. Still swim (just finished 1400) and golf and archery and pickleball, walk/hike (carefully) and bike ride.

 

[130lights]

With my disease fractures are one of the things that worries me the most (other than dying of course). Myeloma eats bones. Spontaneous fractures are not uncommon. I’m doing all the things and taking the meds to avoid that because I need the time I have to remain very active. I wouldn’t do well “sitting”. It’s one of the reasons I gave up several activities. Still swim (just finished 1400) and golf and archery and pickleball, walk/hike (carefully) and bike ride.

Sitting is not for me either, and I’ve been going crazy. No snow shoeing this year.

My oldest brother also has myeloma along with other issues. He’s early 80s, and is fighting hard. Many similarities with you. but older. Married 43 years until his wife died after a nasty fight with pancreatic cancer. Remarried a couple years later to a widow. He’s been doing home dialysis for a couple years now and just recently gave up traveling, dialysis machine, fluids etc with him. They have their ‘ending’ planned out, as much as possible.

I wish you well on your journey. You are a gift to this community.

Life is fragile and short.

 

[Ishmael]

The last time I fell was July 24, 2021. The bones have mostly healed, but I'll be on antibiotics for the rest of my life because of infection. My leg looks much like 130's except there is another larger plate on the tibia, and a well-healed boottop break from skiing decades ago just above the latest one. I have also sheared a couple of the screws holding the big plate on.
I fell because I was stupid and walked down stairs in the dark in a strange house. Can't fix stupid.

 

[veni vidi vici]

The last time I fell was July 24, 2021. The bones have mostly healed, but I'll be on antibiotics for the rest of my life because of infection. My leg looks much like 130's except there is another larger plate on the tibia, and a well-healed boottop break from skiing decades ago just above the latest one. I have also sheared a couple of the screws holding the big plate on.
I fell because I was stupid and walked down stairs in the dark in a strange house. Can't fix stupid.

Did you consider coming to the United States for proper medical treatment?