Be very careful TV senior citizens
 

I always warn my better half here at home. Please be so very careful around the house and outside. We seniors are susceptible to falls, and if that happens seriously enough it can be life-changing.

Case in point, the news several days ago. Ivana Trump dies supposedly after a fall down the stairs at home. And to top it off, she was 73. That’s both of our ages. Yikes.

Funny, about ten days ago I updated our Roman shower area. There was simply too much walking between the corner of the shower where there is a diagonal seating and the exit area where the towel is hanging. I thought “oh oh” here’s a potential fall area. So I installed a new 3’ long grab bar on the wall there. Better safe than sorry.

I know it’s easy to get paranoid over this stuff. But one unfortunate fall folks, and who knows how that may impact the rest of your, and your partner’s life.

Hopefully the shower walls were reinforced during the build to handle the mounting of a grab bar. If not, the grab bar may not provide the protection you are hoping.

I thought the corner results was blunt trauma from a fall, down staircase, didn’t realize it was supposedly a fall, that caused her death. Not sure her age was the bigger factor. Soon as we install a 3 story grand marble staircase in our house, I will be more concerned about stairs.:oops:

All of our homes in TV had grab bars in bathrooms, and thought builder installed at appropriate sites, that could support bars. Glad you are addressing your issues, that was missed at build.

Wet non shark grip garage floors would be more of a concern. Falling happens, but I would think other medical issues are a higher rate, in TV.

For me tripping over some nocturnal animal on my 3am run is a bigger worry. But thanks for a heads up

Correct-a-mundo. Lots of things get weaker with age, including bones. And a busted hip is NOT fun.

How truly sad, why imply, "supposedly,"?

My wife and I call it "Rule #1 - Don't Fall"

I'm glad there's no more basement with the washer and dryer down those stairs in the house up north.

Well I did not imply. I stated it. Apparently that cause was in the coroners report. They stated blunt force trauma perhaps as a result of a fall down stairs. I did not read it. I saw it as reported on the Media. So since it’s not first hand, I believed it better for me to state that as I did.

Does that explain why I decided to use the word, supposedly. If it doesn’t so be it. Everyone is a critic here.

Yes, falls are not good for seniors. The older we get the longer it takes to recover, assuming the fall doesn't kill you. My father died from complications from a fall in the kitchen when he was 83. He was in the hospital and just spiraled down.

I see in myself (72) when I get an injury, I used to heal in days, now it is weeks. No fun at all. No one told me getting old was going to happen so fast! SIGH...

Agree, be especially careful in mornings or after nap getting up. IMO that’s when old muscles and joints are weakest? At least for me.

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May I suggest investing in a medical device you wear like a wrist watch called the Electronic Categiver. It will notify EMS and your loved ones if you have a fall, are in medical distress or find yourself in an unsafe situation. GPS enabled and waterproof.

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Google Life Alert as well

Get a cellular Apple Watch, even if it doesn't detect that you fell you can still tell Siri to call 911. Costs about 2 meals at Chops steak house.

Thanks for the heads up, OP. I’m going to order some bubble wrap now

Rugs are a big risk. Slipping and tripping: fall injuries in adults associated with rugs and carpets - PMC

Not having stairs in most of our homes in TV is helpful for avoiding massive falls, but it also does not help keep muscles strong. I agree avoiding falls is paramount for seniors.

she was not healthy, needed help walking and was alone in the apartment. With a penthouse like hers, I would assume the floors and stairs were marble. She probably lost her balance and fell down those marble stairs, hitting her head and body.

To quote my wife, "getting old is not for sissies".

True. We had such a place up north, 4 bedroom w/a large finished basement. Washer, dryer, etc. downstairs. Huge, two-tier yard. In other words, lots of upkeep. We'd recognized the basement stairs as a risk for some time but it wasn't the only one: deck, front porch, garage doorway, etc. all had steps. I'd had a couple of close calls but each time managed to rationalize it away as something OTHER than advancing age.

But it's not just stairs. We were fixing the place up to sell it and one day I was working on our deck; multi-level deal with crossbeams and lattice on the top. I was on a step ladder replacing the lattice, 2nd rung from the top of the ladder and sure enough, it went out from under me. The crossbeams were close enough so I managed to get one under an armpit, but that still left me with the problem of how to get down. It was a long drop, and I was scarcely six months removed from a total knee replacement. My wife was in the house so I tried calling out to her. Didn't work. Well, the only way down was to drop, so I grabbed a beam with both hands, let myself down far enough so I looked like an orangutan swinging from a branch, gauged the distance, made sure I'd land on the non-operative leg--and dropped. It worked, though the ankle of the leg I landed on was sore for a few days.

I laugh about it now, but I was VERY lucky. It was an eye-opener.

Other reports describe her out in the public and in poor health, unstable, lacking appetite, etc. age is just a number.

Exercise
 

This is why everyone should be attending “balance” classes at the gym, and working to keep as fit as possible!


QUOTE=Tvflguy;2117386]I always warn my better half here at home. Please be so very careful around the house and outside. We seniors are susceptible to falls, and if that happens seriously enough it can be life-changing.

Case in point, the news several days ago. Ivana Trump dies supposedly after a fall down the stairs at home. And to top it off, she was 73. That’s both of our ages. Yikes.

Funny, about ten days ago I updated our Roman shower area. There was simply too much walking between the corner of the shower where there is a diagonal seating and the exit area where the towel is hanging. I thought “oh oh” here’s a potential fall area. So I installed a new 3’ long grab bar on the wall there. Better safe than sorry.

I know it’s easy to get paranoid over this stuff. But one unfortunate fall folks, and who knows how that may impact the rest of your, and your partner’s life.[/QUOTE]

We appreciate your post. A friend of ours in TV fell walking his dog, broke his hip, caught pneumonia & died. We are not 18 anymore, even if we forget that from time to time.

I’d suggest everyone getting their bone density test, men as well as women

Yes, a favorite pastime on here seems to be correcting people. My mother always told me that was rude, unless it was she who was correcting me! 🤣

From the OP.

2 years ago I was replacing the batteries in our smoke detectors. I’m the type of guy who tends to do things fast. Sometimes not quite thinking through.

Well, got to the detector in our Great Room. Rather than bother to move out a couch and end table, then get the ladder in there, I moved too quick. Stepped onto the end table and reached up to the little door on the detector for the battery. Had to twist a bit and lost my balance. Fell back-first onto a sofa. Holy crap I thought, startled. But no harm done other than to my manly ego. I moved the stuff out of the way and got the ladder.

Shortly after I thought, that could have ended very badly…. Lesson learned, hopefully. Now when doing projects I tend to go slower and more safely.

Grab bars are $10. But a fall can cost you your mobility. First thing we did when I moved into the house

And I am sure in her case the fall was a result of medical conditions. We have heard of a lot of friends that simply pass out either due to heat, low blood pressure, low sugar levels, low water levels and fall on a hard for surface which we have many of here. we had a friend who passed out for a full 5 minutes and luckily was revived by the ambulance corps

There was an elevator in her house.

Why such negativity? We all do the best that we can with what we have.

Unpaid commercial recommending the "Grab Bar Guys" here in the Villages. They know what they are doing and are very reasonable.

Most common cause of ER visits due to falls is from tripping over pets. That’s according to an ER nurse. Lots of people in TV have pets.

Or not state it at all until you are sure.

My father passed away too from complications from a fall, he was only 75. My uncle passed away from a fall. He was going to answer the front door and tripped over his little dog. He was 92.

Pay attention to where you walk and surroundings

Buy either an Apple or Android watch capable of hooking up to your cellphone service. If you have a medical emergency you can press two buttons simultaneously and 9-1-1 will be notified, as well as other specified emergency contacts. Be sure you have 'Location' activated so 9-1-1 knows where you are.

If you have a key hidden outside, or keyless entry, contact your local First Responders to find out how to record this info so when your address comes up with dispatch they know how to enter your home easily.

Hope you never have to use this info!

[QUOTE=paulajr;2117512]This is why everyone should be attending “balance” classes at the gym, and working to keep as fit as possible!

I totally endorse this comment

I have doggie radar. I always knew those furry four legged critters would be the death of me but my wife says “oh please can we get one” ! Me “NO”. Pouting ensues. The rest is history! 12 + years of history. Sorry I have to go now because his highness (Reagan) needs to go out

Tvflguy, GREAT THREAD. Unfortunately, most people will pay this subject much attention unless they have fallen already. I was invincible until a simple slip and fall in November of 2020. It has changed my life, not for the good at all. It was all my fault, it was at home and it didn't need to happen at all. I was careless and in a rush. I'm still dealing with issues from the fall and have added a cane and a walker to the operating inventory. Live and learn. I totally disregard any conversation no matter whose feelings get hurt when I'm walking nowadays. All trip and fall stuff is outta the house.

We were just visiting our oldest son. Beautiful visit, one problem. 15 steps to the front steps, 5 steps to the front door then as an added bonus 15 or 16 steps to the bedroom. I told my wife to take some great pictures because we will never be back in that house again.

I wanna live and prosper, whatever it takes count me in!!

My best friend lives alone in Tampa. He is 78. He fell in May and injured his back. He lay on the floor for 36 hours before someone checked on him. One month in hospital and six weeks in a rehab facility. He has gone from racing Sailboats from Florida to Mexico, attending music fests, and cruising the tropics to sitting at home awaiting visits from occupational therapists, physical therapists, and nurses.

Our second bathroom has a traditional tub, which is quite a step out. I want to convert it to a walk-in shower using something like the product at the link below. It comes with an insert that can be used to turn it back into a tub when needed..

Amazon.com

Especially wearing sandals or flip flops.