I have reached that age when every time I see a doctor I get that question "Have you had more than 2 falls in the last year." Well so far I can answer no. But as a person living alone it is a fear that haunts me. Especially since I lost a cousin who fell down the stairs when her husband was out and died. So when I am home I carry my cellphone in this little purse with my arm through it and over my head. Hopefully if I fall I can call for help. If I carried my cellphone in my hands two things could happen. One (and this would happen to me) - I would lay it down and forget it then have to spend a half hour trying to find it. Two - when I fall I could drop it out of my reach. I know there are gadgets for this but not ready for that yet. Just want a little security when I move around in the middle of the night or early morning when my arthritis is bad.
My mum is much older than you and she wears an alarm for that very reason. She has never had a fall to set it off but I have been called in the middle of the night because she has pressed the alarm accidentally and then couldn't hear the phone ring when the company called to check if she was okay. I also know someone that fell in the middle of the night just a couple of weeks ago and her husband found her unconscious at the bottom of the stairs.
@bella_ss I had a neighbor who fell and was never quite right again and had to have someone with her at all times. So I have a built up fear of this. My mom had the alarm and the same thing happened but I was living with her so the problem was when I was at work. Eventually we just had to return it because she didn't have a clue what it was for. My mother had dementia. My grandmother too. Another fear I live with. I always say to my niece and family - getting old is not for the faint of heart.
@joansmor It is a worry when we are getting old ourselves Joan! Another reason for us to make the most of today :)
On a brighter note they seem to be having a small success with treating/preventing dementia.
@wendyfrost yes I have a problem getting up even if I go down by myself. It limited me when I was trying yoga. My niece and I were laughing because if I went down in the night she would probably not wake up if I called. So we decided I would call her husband as wakes up better to phone calls. I mean we laugh but as me are making serious considerations.
I always take my phone with me when I'm outside. I'm alone during the day and out in the country. I have fallen a couple of times in the past. Luckily, it's been awhile since my last fall. I'm glad you keep your phone with you.
February 10th, 2019
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On a brighter note they seem to be having a small success with treating/preventing dementia.