Falls are meant to be avoided

medical complications and a decrease in long-term mobility and independence.

It can happen slowly. Once it starts, it’s a slippery slope

You hear a crack in your back when you get out of bed. Then you can’t pop up out of your chair like you used to. Along with our average body aches and creaks, our sense of balance weakens as we age increasing our risk of falling.

This is accompanied by a risk of fractures, which can lead to

Typically, there will be some warning signs. You’ll stumble, having near falls, or fall without a fracture. These are red flags.

If you or a loved one are experiencing these red flags, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician immediately.

Decaying vision, loss of hearing, shaky balance, pain and many other age-related conditions can contribute to falling.

Discuss these concerns with your doctor and ask about any additional solutions, such as an assessment by a specialist, physical therapy, or medication.

In addition to meeting with a doctor, there are some fall-prevention tips you can tape to your refrigerator door.

Keep all pathways clear. Remove all furniture and rugs that are in your way to avoid tripping as you go about your daily routine.

Use assisting devices. Put up handrails in your bathroom and along stairways and install floor treads in your shower and bathtub. Get yourself a cane or walker if your balance is unsteady.

Exercise regularly to strengthen your muscles, bones and balance. Swimming, walking, biking, yoga, and tai chi are just a few of the activities that help you fight falling.

Vitamins and supplements can help. For example, Vitamin D and calcium help maintain bone strength, which reduces your risk of fractures if you fall. Before

What Seniors Think

taking any such dosage, talk the matter over with your doctor. And ask what effect your current medication may have on your balance.

Be prepared for an emergency. Place emergency numbers near your home phone and list them in your cellphone. Schedule regular appointments with specialists, such as eye and hearing doctors.

Wear sturdy and comfortable footwear. And don’t do anything quickly.

Ron Baumgartner, Publisher rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

Annette Weaver, Business Manager .................aweaver@the-papers.com

Steve Meadows, Director Of Marketing smeadows@the-papers.com

Bill Hays, Advertising Manager ...................bhays@the-papers.com

Account Executive Victoria Biddle vbiddle@the-papers.com • 1-866-580-1138 Ext. 2319

Commercial Printing Sales Representative Rodger Salinas ..........................rsalinas@the-papers.com

Commercial Printing Customer Service

Tina Carson tcarson@the-papers.com

Rich Krygowski .......................rkrygowski@the-papers.com

Deb Patterson, Editor-In-Chief dpatterson@the-papers.com

Keith Knepp, Editor kknepp@the-papers.com

Jerry Long, Circulation Manager jlong@the-papers.com

EDITORIAL

Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $35 for one year; and $60 for two years. (Select one edition.) Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt.

ADVERTISING

For advertising deadlines call your sales representative. The existence of advertising in Senior Life is not meant as an endorsement of any product, services or individuals by anyone except the advertisers. Signed letters or columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers.

PRODUCTION

Senior Life is digitally composed on Macintosh Computers using Digital Technology’s Newspaper Publishing Suite software and Photoshop software. Submit ads as .tif, .eps or .pdf files. ASCII (generic text) may be submitted via email or on CD/DVD. Check our website at www.the-papers.com for guidelines on preparing ads electronically. Graphics for ads can be emailed as PDF files to adcomp@the-papers. com. If you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll walk you through it.

REPRINT RIGHTS

Reprinting in part or whole of any article in Senior Life is not allowed without express written permission from Senior Life.