My mom is in a nursing home for one reason: she is in a wheelchair now and can no longer stand up without help. None of us is strong enough to help. Mom fell too many times and the next fall might be the last. For her and many others, falling means reduced mobility and a sedentary lifestyle.

About 4 years ago Mom fell and now has a titanium rod in her upper leg; she fell again after that and has a titanium ankle. Mom had less devastating falls since then, including one shortly after I arrived to help out. She has nearly fallen twice in nursing homes, including this past week when she fell on the aide who was helping her. Now, mom needs two aids to assist.

I am my mother’s child in so many ways, so I worry about falling. I already fell a few times when living in icy climates. One time I broke the hand I used to break the fall, and, more recently, I slipped off the RV step. I am generally clumsy, sometimes woosy, and I walk at the speed of light, a dangerous combination.

My choices: walk slower, pay attention, stay strong, avoid icy sidewalks and wear proper shoes. Since walking is my main exercise, I am not ready to amble along, but I can slow down a bit. Paying attention – being present, watching the ground – will help until then. Avoiding icy sidewalks is not too difficult anymore since I will spend winters in NM (except this year when I play with a newborn grandson in Spokane). Shoes are probably the most important tool against falling. Right now I slip into flip-flops when I walk Tango, and sometimes I trip. Not good at all.

I watched Marvin nearly fall this morning when he turned around too fast to grab something he forgot. He walks with a cane now and it prevented the fall! His episode reminded me that I really need to take along my hiking pole when off the pavement. I have three, mostly unused poles. Time to get them out? Only if I want to avoid my mom’s fate.

I found some more advice here and here.

 
Amble