Great article. My bedroom setup is already supportive, but the reminders about geriatric pharmacology were super helpful because those changes are so subtle.
What I changed: I'm going to sleep with the Apple watch on, and find some other time during the day to charge it.
Several years ago I fainted — swooned — getting out of bed quickly to let my elderly dog out the front door. I fell into furniture and cracked a couple ribs! I was recovering from flu at the time.
I’ve been waking up dizzy lately due to a new medication. So, I pause before I stand up, and I grab the footboard for support when I do stand.
This is an excellent, important article on a subject I care deeply about.
Am 87, live alone and a couple of months ago I had a fall in the kitchen. Was unable to get up again to fetch my cellphone from the bedroom. What saved me from a disaster was the “panic button” I wear around my neck at all times. It enabled me to summon help and it all ended happily without a hospital stay.
Ever since that fall, I have been on a ‘mission’ to raise awareness amongst my elderly friends of the dangers of falls - especially during nighttime trips to the bathroom. And especially of those living alone. Have been interviewing my 80-something friends and, alarmingly, none of them had any plan in place for anything. Not for minimising the risk of a fall, not for being rescued in the event of a fall.
I am now planning to share this article with these friends, just hoping it will stay unlocked long enough to reach them.
I've read that another risk in this same space also revolves around waking up needing to go to the bathroom: the drop in blood pressure combined with panic urgency causes heart attacks. At some point it's good to have a sealable pee jar bedside ~ then we can stand up slowly and move to empty it in an unpanicked condition.
I've read that another risk in this same space also revolves around waking up needing to go to the bathroom: the drop in blood pressure combined with panic urgency causes heart attacks. At some point it's good to have a sealable pee jar bedside ~ then we can stand up slowly and move to empty it in an unpanicked condition.
At age 86, my Rollator with the handbrake originally on starts my trek to the toilet. And yes, I have soft lights plugged in to wall sockets. No obstacles along the way. And a call button on a lanyard around my neck in case I might fall. The only time I did fall was a few years ago in the kitchen when I had Type A influenza, but didn’t know it. My legs turned to jelly and nothing could keep me erect, not even holding onto the Rollator. Rescue Squad to the ER followed by hospital admission for three days.
Great words!! I talked to my elderly mother about all you mentioned (she scoffed at me)... and I've always made sure my pathways are unobstructed and that the floor is lighted. I think it's time for the watch that monitors falls since I hit the 80s. Thanks for the info and reassurance.
Great article. My bedroom setup is already supportive, but the reminders about geriatric pharmacology were super helpful because those changes are so subtle.
What I changed: I'm going to sleep with the Apple watch on, and find some other time during the day to charge it.
Several years ago I fainted — swooned — getting out of bed quickly to let my elderly dog out the front door. I fell into furniture and cracked a couple ribs! I was recovering from flu at the time.
I’ve been waking up dizzy lately due to a new medication. So, I pause before I stand up, and I grab the footboard for support when I do stand.
This is an excellent, important article on a subject I care deeply about.
Am 87, live alone and a couple of months ago I had a fall in the kitchen. Was unable to get up again to fetch my cellphone from the bedroom. What saved me from a disaster was the “panic button” I wear around my neck at all times. It enabled me to summon help and it all ended happily without a hospital stay.
Ever since that fall, I have been on a ‘mission’ to raise awareness amongst my elderly friends of the dangers of falls - especially during nighttime trips to the bathroom. And especially of those living alone. Have been interviewing my 80-something friends and, alarmingly, none of them had any plan in place for anything. Not for minimising the risk of a fall, not for being rescued in the event of a fall.
I am now planning to share this article with these friends, just hoping it will stay unlocked long enough to reach them.
Great observation about the sleeping meds 👌
I've read that another risk in this same space also revolves around waking up needing to go to the bathroom: the drop in blood pressure combined with panic urgency causes heart attacks. At some point it's good to have a sealable pee jar bedside ~ then we can stand up slowly and move to empty it in an unpanicked condition.
Yup. I take a pee jar with me on road trips and camping trips. Got the tip years ago from a dear friend, a geophysicist who made frequent field trips.
One of those super smoke tips which makes life so much better!
Try it again: "super SIMPLE tips"
As for the pee jar, am wearing “adult pants” at night to save myself from a panicked rush to the bathroom.
Okay ~ there ya go!
Great observation about the sleeping meds 👌
I've read that another risk in this same space also revolves around waking up needing to go to the bathroom: the drop in blood pressure combined with panic urgency causes heart attacks. At some point it's good to have a sealable pee jar bedside ~ then we can stand up slowly and move to empty it in an unpanicked condition.
At age 86, my Rollator with the handbrake originally on starts my trek to the toilet. And yes, I have soft lights plugged in to wall sockets. No obstacles along the way. And a call button on a lanyard around my neck in case I might fall. The only time I did fall was a few years ago in the kitchen when I had Type A influenza, but didn’t know it. My legs turned to jelly and nothing could keep me erect, not even holding onto the Rollator. Rescue Squad to the ER followed by hospital admission for three days.
Great words!! I talked to my elderly mother about all you mentioned (she scoffed at me)... and I've always made sure my pathways are unobstructed and that the floor is lighted. I think it's time for the watch that monitors falls since I hit the 80s. Thanks for the info and reassurance.