Marin Voice: Aging Well Means Taking Precautions Against Falling, Move Better, Live Better: This Thursday, 10/15
The City of Mill Valley’s Live Well Initiative is hosting Move Better, Live Better, a fall prevention event this Thursday, October 15, from 10 am to noon in the Plaza.
Live Well Mill Valley is Vice Mayor Carolyn Joachim’s age-friendly initiative. She’s been working with a committee to identify ways to better support Mill Valley’s older adult population.
Live Well Mill Valley’s Our committee chair, Kristi Denton Cohen, recently published a Marin Voice article in the IJ highlighting the importance of fall prevention and the challenges older adults face in staying safe from falls. She also mentions our upcoming event in the article.
I’ve backpacked up and down and across the Sierra many times. I’ve climbed a couple of 14,000-foot peaks. I’ve cycled thousands of miles on my road bike, mountain bike and, now, my class 1 e-bike. That’s my brag (knowing that many people have accomplished far more than that).
The hubris is in thinking at 74, I can still do everything I used to. A couple of weeks ago, I was hiking with my sister and hit a steep trail strewn with dry dirt and dusty leaves. Yep. I literally hit the trail – a hard header with a double bounce. My “smart” watch called 911 and my husband immediately. He was able to get me to a hospital emergency department, where experts determined no brain bleed, but confirmed a concussion, strained neck, sprained wrist and a soon-to-be-colorful black eye that I had to explain wasn’t my makeup running.
I’m lucky I didn’t break anything, but after a fall like that, years of hiking confidence flies out the window and the fear of falling again comes flying back in. It made me feel older and more vulnerable in a flash, especially since healing takes longer than it used to at my age.
I’ve learned lessons I should have known the hard way: check the treads on my shoes; make sure they haven’t worn away even a little bit. A hiking pole or two helps reduce strain on the joints, improves balance and turns a hike into a full-body workout, which is pretty great.
At a Vivalon “fall prevention” presentation recently, I also learned that my fall was far from unusual. Note: Vivalon also offers some great fall prevention classes.
There are an average of 6.5 fall-related 911 calls per day in Marin. Most are for ground- or low-level falls. Of accidental injury deaths for those 60 and older, 75% involve head and hip injuries. Those who are 80 and older face even grimmer statistics. They represent 59% of the falls and 78% of fall-related deaths. The majority of falls (70%) happen in private homes.
We are all experiencing aging for the first time and everything that comes with it. It’s up to us to learn how to avoid joining these scary statistics.
Stay active. But get out of bed slowly, so you don’t get light-headed and keel over. Add strength and balance work to your daily routine. Make sure your home environment is safe. That might mean moving the beloved rug purchased on a memorable vacation out of the hallway or making sure the dog’s favorite toy isn’t going to trip you on the way to bed.
Bathrooms, stairs and hallways should be well lit. Darkness is not your old friend, but headlamps can be. They’re easy to use and keep your hands free. Indoor motion-controlled lights are also convenient, especially if you have to get up in the middle of the night. Handrails on both sides of the stairs and grab bars add confidence and safety. Your family and/or caregivers need to know what medications you take in case they cause dizziness or instability. That information also helps a first responder assess a situation if they are called to your home for a “lift assist” or anything else after a fall.
It doesn’t signal weakness to wear a “fall alert” device or watch. It could get you out of a bad predicament or even save your life – especially if you are alone.
We get older. We fall more. And some of those falls can be pretty nasty. I’m grateful I have those tools to use so I can still hike, even if it’s not at 14,000 feet. I’m looking forward to getting back on my bike, even if it’s just running some errands in town and not a 100-mile expedition.
Check out Vivalon’s fall prevention classes and join Live Well Mill Valley’s “Move Better/Live Better” fall prevention event at the Depot on Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Kristi Denton Cohen is a former chair of the Marin County Commission on Aging. She is currently the chair of Live Well Mill Valley, an Age Friendly group.
MORE INFO: Marin Voice: Aging Well Means Taking Precautions Against Falling
Tammy Herndon (She/Her)
Management Analyst II – Community & Culture Liaison