A SAFETY message for The Villages folks
 

We are both in our upper 70s, in OK health, but who knows?

A main health concern for folks our age is falling. I decided to get a warning system if anyone falls in the bedroom or bathroom. I put several of these small air horns near the floor of rooms in our home. IF we fall, and the other one is in another room - especially at night - press the horn and it emits a shrieking sound. Easy to hear in the house, and perhaps nearby outside.

2 are about $9 on Amazon. I bought 6.

It's simply a tool in case of a fall and we are conscious. Cheap money - hope to never use, but....

Sort of unrelated, but related. I'll add this as a PSA.

I'm in my younger 70's. I play golf 4-5 times a week and when I'm up North, I walk those 18 holes (6 miles), at least 3 times per week.

2 Weeks ago, I fell at the golf course (tripped). My Apple Watch did NOT detect my fall for some reason. I spent about 10 minutes lying on the ground. Finally got up and played 7 more holes (1 over for those 7).

Within 3 hours I was on my way to Urgent Care, who transferred me a hospital ... who then sent me by ambulance, to Boston's top hospital. Luckily it's only 3 broken ribs.

My point is, falling is no joke when you get up there in age. I wasn't prepared for this one. Apparently our bones aren't as strong as they were, when we were flying over the handlebars of our bicycles going down hills ... picking up the bike and trying it again.

Thankfully, in 6-8 weeks I'll be back to golf and have less time for ToTV.

So, is it safe to assume the new rock climbing wall in Eastport isn’t high on your “to do list”? You already made the best decision to protect yourselves against falling by moving away from the wintery snow and ice to a place where you shovel sunshine during the winter.

Maybe Apple didn’t detect because of soft landing? Fracture ribs puncture, and the reason for bus ride to hospital?

Did you tell them you finished 7 more holes with one over and definitely drive yourself to a facility? I have tripped in house ceramic floors, apple watch didn’t respond, but the Alexa in the room did. Sent SOS to the kids and my spouse.

Refereeing hockey in my late 60’s few years ago, ended up with couple of bruise and one questionable rib. Apple responded immediately, but it was all medical personnel on site, just taped up, so I continued the game. Didn’t bother with X-ray until i went to the office on Monday. So much for non checking leagues :1rotfl:

Check your Apple app settings maybe fall might be turned off.

Good idea.

Damn Apple Watch "Fall Detection" goes off almost every time I make a Bunker shot at the golf course ... not sure why. So it is properly set. I was shocked it didn't go off.

Complication they're worried about, is an aortic aneurism that's lurking around in there. On my 4th CT Scan in the last 12 days, but so far, so good.

Trust me, the "7 more holes thing" was a subject of laughter from every medical professional I dealt with. I had 1 Dr come just to ask me, if I really was only "+1" for those 7 holes ... he wants a golf lesson ������

This getting old crap, isn't for sissies.

If you have ALEXA devices, they can be used to call someone's phone. "Alexa, call Fred Flintstone" or "Alexa, cal 911".
You can also tell it to make an announcement, or to drop into (chat with) another room's device.
I'd spend money to have one in every room.

A good idea, but be sure to put one near the bath/shower as that is a common "fall point"

Be very careful; my aortic aneurysm measured 4.6 cm, which was being closely monitored by B&W/MG. They run in my family. Both brothers and other relatives have had them. Mine let go and I spent 16 days in B&W. I now have Ultrasounds and CT scans every year. At the time I walked and carried my bag for 18 holes; now use a push cart up north, and golf cart in TV. Seven year anniversary come November, and several years older than you. :thumbup:

Bone builders has specific exercises developed by Tufts University to strengthen bones, help with balance and prevent falls.

I'm 4.6, with 2 other lower ones at 4.2 Yours let go at 4.6? My Vascular guy (at B&W) tells me he won't go near it, until it hits 6.

Apparently not many make it through, depending on where it is. You're lucky.

YES...burst at 4.6. My cardiologist (B&W) indicated they would wait until 5.0 before considering corrective surgery. My younger brother's was smaller and they performed corrective surgery (in Cincinnati). He was in and out in three days. I lost use of, most of my left kidney, and my aorta remains "fluted" for a substantial length. To beat all, they hit my ulna nerve in my right arm after taking me out of the ambulance while preparing for intravenous. My pinky and ring finger are still numb after nearly 7 years. I know I am very lucky and walk 5 to 7 miles a day. Good luck!

Believe it or not, there are classes for senior to learn HOW to fall properly. My wife took a bad fall when the two large dogs she was walking pulled her down backwards and she broke her hip. In this case, it would of been very difficult to fall correctly.

I myself fell in the bathroom and slipped on the wet floor and fell backwards and hit my head and broke my toe. I was lucky I didn't get a concussion. However, if I could of trained myself to learn how to fall correctly, I could of avoided a major injury.

Do the Villages offer such courses? They are somewhat similar to Jujitsu or other self defense classes.

My cellphone is voice activated. I carry it with me everywhere, though when I'm wearing my hearing aids I can leave it anywhere in the house, if I'm anywhere in the house, and it'll hear me if I need it (my microphone is in my hearing aides and they're bluetoothed to the phone).

That's the usual for intervention I'm told, 5.0. Mine's in a tough place, so I guess we're gambling!

Thanks!