I fell on my head again last night

[cyclonefence]

For some reason I didn't turn on the bathroom light when I came up to bed. I felt along the sink to the toilet and then bent forward, feeling behind me for the toilet seat (we have a nightlight in there, but it's not bright enough). I overbalanced and pitched forward right into the shower, head first. Our shower has no curtain or door, but it does have a lip about two inches high to keep the water in.

I lay there a few minutes, feeling stupid, then started trying to push/pull myself up to hands and knees, My arms were suddenly very weak, and I couldn't get my hips out over that lip. I started wedging my hips up by putting my elbows behind me--anyway, it was hellish.

My husband is a heavy sleeper, and the door to our bedroom was shut. I butt-walked myself out into the hall until I could start kicking the door. He got up, and we just couldn't get me to my feet. Then it occurred to me that if I could get myself to the stairs, I could sit at the top with my feet a couple of steps down, and then he could pull me up, with me pulling on the banister.

I've ordered a Help I've Fallen set, which has a sender for me to wear around my neck and two receivers, one for upstairs and one for down, that he can carry around in his pocket if he wants to.

Am I the most decrepit "senior" here? Is anybody else a "faller?" Are you scared shitless, like I am?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I too am a "faller." It's awful, and yes, scary.

I'd say you're certainly not the most decrepit senior here! I think that what we're experiencing is pretty common.

I"ve gotten very careful and try to see trouble before it starts. I'm lucky in that I've never broken any bones. I am very concerned about my balance and stability on my feet, so I've got an app't. with my primary doctor to consult about getting a neurologist. I want to see if that MD can help pinpoint where my imbalance comes from.

Do turn the lights on! I move slowly and I have prevented falls that way. It's a tough place to be.

[elleng]

2. No, you're probably not the most decrepit 'senior' here, and likely not the only 'faller.'

Likely others are also 'scared shitless.'

Good you've ordered 'Help I've fallen.'

(I live alone, and occasionally a friend stays over. I live in a 2 floor VERY old house. Daughter & family live 7 miles away.)

[Betty Boom]

3. There are some great tips here

There are some great tips here, especially for people who are unable to kneel because of bad knees.
The stairs trick is an excellent one by the way.

?si=Rhy3AsD8ExDHB4sh

[question everything]

6. All these maneuvers require strong abdominal muscles that many of us do not have

[Trueblue Texan]

22. See how she tips her head FORWARD when...

...she needs to lift her hips? The weight of your upper body makes a counter-weight for the heavier lower body. You can use the forward lean to help you stand up from a chair as well, just don't lean it too far forward. It's all about balance.

[brer cat]

4. I am a faller, age 78. My falls are generally attributed to problems

with the vagus nerve which leads me to faint from low blood pressure. I also have occasional vertigo which can really send me reeling. I have fortunately not broken any bones, but it is unnerving to suddenly find myself on the floor with no idea of how I got there!

It concerns me, especially when I'm in the bathroom where there is so much hard stuff I can hit. I have hit my head a couple of times when I fell. I cannot get myself up without help either from my sister/housemate or by doing the butt walk to a sturdy piece of furniture.

[usonian]

5. I'm steady but live alone, far even from neighbors.

And since nobody ever visits, stuff is not in nice order. "Trip but don't fall" but I did fall safely the other day. I am picking things up lately.

My far away family gave me an Apple watch, with fall detection (no, it didn't go off. I got right back up) but it also has SOS function for 911, will call numbers I punched in, and medical ID. (Blood type and special conditions)

I wouldn't have gotten one on my own, being partial to cheap Casios!

Do get brighter nightlights. A watch or phone can also help light the way but only a watch is "always there".

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀 Good luck. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Glad you were not badly hurt.

The only device I can think of right now is a 2 or 3 step (folding) step stool. You wouldn't need the stairway to make lifting easier and gradual. "One step at a time". Decent for tying shoes, too.

[Skittles]

7. can you do this

every day, lay down on the floor......then after a minute or so get up

it's just good practice

[rubbersole]

8. My ex had a stretch with vertigo.

'Scared shitless' is too mild.

[2naSalit]

9. Oh dear...

That would be hellish. I'm glad you'll be okay.

I don't fall often but I have and it freaks me right out for days.

[CentralMass]

10. Might I suggest getting a walker, and a cane if you dont already have them.

I recently rehabbed a broken ankle for several months and I have some intermittent balance issues.

I couldn't bear weight on the broken ankle for 10 weeks and used crutches and more often a walker heavily during that period and used it and a cane after they cleared me for bearing weight on it. The walker is a portable one with the seat. You can use it in situations like using the bathroom or standing at the sink. Or you can sit on it at the sink.

The cane that I picked has led lights built into the handle that illuminate the the floor and straight ahead. It is great for getting up at night at or in low light situations. If you have stairs, maybe leave the walker downstairs and use the cane and the railing to go up and down stairs. A good physical therapists will help you with this. You should get a referral from your doctor.
The cane.
https://a.co/d/eUAcRax

The walker.
https://a.co/d/dGzlDiY

[pansypoo53219]

11. i used to trip a lot when i was faster + tumbling helped me always land on my ass.

[AverageOldGuy]

12. CALL 911

Listen -- I don't mean to insult you, but -- I'm 80 and a long-time EMT with a volunteer rescue squad in rural VA where 38% of our county is over 65 -- 1/3 of our calls are for falls in the home and almost 100% of those are people over 70.

I know, I know, it was just a fall in the dark. I have pronounced DEAD two people who fell while feeling around the bathroom in the dark, smacked their heads on a tile floor, cerebral hemorrhage, died before we arrived.

CALL 911 and let us check you out.

When we respond to a fall, the first thing we do is assess the patient for injuries. Then we ask "Why did you fall?" And 75% of patients will ask us "Why do you need to know that?" BECAUSE:
-- If you tripped over the cat, that's one thing.
-- But if you don't remember falling, then you likely are headed for a stroke.

Do yourself and the rest of the family a favor and CALL 911 WHEN YOU FALL.

And for God's sake, GET A BRIGHT NIGHTLIGHT or leave the light turned on in the bathroom or invest in a small, bright LED flashlight and keep it beside the bed.

[underpants]

31. Good advice. There's a reason I'm asked about falls at every medical appointment

I’m not sick but I have great health insurance do I let them put me up in the rack whenever anyone in a lab coat suggests it. Ever time it’s fall/do you feel safe. I’m glad because that’s a very safe place for someone to tell someone and falls are bad.

My mom had two church member family members who died in a short period of time.

[timms139]

13. a rechargeable

flashlight would be helpful to keep on a night stand for those night trips .

[Figarosmom]

14. Why are you using night lights? A night light bulb is about 7 watts

The new LED bulbs are 7 watts for enough lumens to equal a 60watt light. Turn on lamps in al l the rooms you frequent. I tripped over the dog once in the dark and sprained my ankle. So ever since then I leave a 9 watt bulb (100 watts) on all the time in every room I frequent. Since my sight is for shit I feel better with the lights on. The cost is minimal since you are ysing the same wattage as a night light.

When sitting keep your back straight. Put you hand behind you on the seat to feel where it is and lower straight down on it , do not lean forward.

[Trueblue Texan]

21. This is a compensation that can become a big problem.

But sitting mindfully can prevent a lot of falls. When you sit down, make sure BOTH your legs are touching the sitting surface, reach back with one hand to help guide and lower yourself gently onto the sitting surface. Widen your stance slightly for improved stability if you need to. It's ok to bend slightly forward as long as you don't bend so far that you shift your weight off your feet, you will not fall forward. We naturally lean forward when standing to shift our weight from our butt to our feet and vice versa. Losing this ingrained pattern of body mechanics (due to weakness, injury, or fear of falling) is one of the reasons people become unable to stand independently. (I HATE those lift chairs for that reason!) It's a matter of balance, leveraging the weight of your body against gravity, and it's good to be mindful of the feeling of your weight shifting from your butt to your feet and vice versa as you move from sitting to standing, standing to sitting. Moving straight down into the chair from standing, with no bending forward at all, can actually cause imbalance and cause you to topple backwards.

[Betty Boom]

26. Lift chairs are horrible

I watched my mother’s mobility go downhill rapidly after she got one of those damn things. Her upper leg muscles completely atrophied.

Everybody should be doing sit-stand exercises daily. Best thing I ever learned from the physical therapist. I do three sets of 20 twice a day. You can start out with a cushion or two on the chair to bring it up to a higher height and then reduce that until you can get up from a regular height chair easily

[IbogaProject]

15. you might be dehydrated?

Maybe try and gently increase your water intake. you don't need 8 glasses that rec was for boot camp. Dehydration is a common preventable risk factor for falls.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

16. I fall a lot. I have taken to wearing knee pads, and I'm

considering getting a bicycle helmet too.

[irisblue]

17. I'm scared about falling too.

You going to get checked out?

[Siwsan]

18. I've never had a good sense of balance

AND I drift to the left when walking. I've broken pretty much every toe, at least once.

As for falls, I've taken some hard ones but never broke any 'big' bones. Twice, in the past year, I've fallen in a way that leaves me baffled as to why I didn't break a hip or arm.

It mostly happens when I'm rushing to get something done. I think it's time to stop rushing because my luck may run out.

At least I have strong bones.

[Trueblue Texan]

19. One of the best fall prevention strategies is to change your environment to support your safety.

You can install grab bars and night lights, and motion detection lighting where it makes sense for you. Get rid of rugs, make sure cords are against baseboards, get rid of excess furnishings and clutter; pare down the kitchen and bathroom; store heavy items at waist level, keep decorative items at a minimum and use cleaning tools that improve your safety, such a telescoping dusters, no rinse spray cleaners. When I was working, the hardest thing was to get people to understand that their safety was more important than keeping their decor up to date and that making changes in their home was more important than preserving it's asthetics should they ever put it on the market.

You might also consider taking balance and fall prevention classes offered at local hospitals and senior centers. Strengthen your hips and lower extremities to help prevent falls as well.

[Trueblue Texan]

20. The most common cause of falls ...

...happens when changing directions. If you can slow down enough to remember to keep your nose and toes pointing the same direction, you will eliminate a lot of falls. This is easier said than done. Falls happen in the kitchen a lot because people turn a lot in the kitchen. They move from the refrigerator, to the stove behind them, then turn again back to the sink, for example. Ample opportunities for falls. They fall when they are walking abreast of another person, turning their head to check for traffic or to talk to the person they are walking with. Be extra mindful of your head's alignment with your body when you are on your feet and you'll be much safer.

[Betty Boom]

25. 100% this

Every time I have ever fallen, it was because I twisted just as you described. The other advice I would give is just to slow down in general. And use assistive devices if you need them Too many people resist using a cane when they really really need one. Old age is not a time to worry about vanity.

[CentralMass]

23. Link on how to use a "rollater" (walker with wheels)

?si=XYL-Z1xwuliBzTL7

[58Sunliner]

24. So sorry you fell and had a scare. It is scary. Hoping you heal quickly.

Ever since my spine/neck injury from auto accident, I have to be careful. My recent incident was me putting my foot through the ceiling from the attic while upstairs to do electrical work. Just dumb. I should have taken better precautions and now I am getting over a bad sprain and a bad knee. I've fallen twice since then while using a walker to help ambulate. Wish I had just got a knee roller, probably would have been safer. Ugh. I went sideways in the walker twice and just hung on to allow the walker to take the brunt of the fall. Luckily just a couple more bruises. I was surprised by how much effort it took to hobble around as my foot could not bear any weight and how that threw my balance off. I'm really out of shape. As soon as I can I am going to start working on strengthening my upper body and my legs. I find one fall leads to more falls as the proprioceptors in my neck get messed up easily. Be careful.

[LakeArenal]

27. I have developed a habit of falling asleep on the toilet.

Fallen three times on the lip of that shower. Last time cracked my noggin hard. I must be hard headed for sure.

Yes it scares both of us.

[No Vested Interest]

33. I asked for and received a toilet seat with side handles

for pushing myself up when finished.
Will be installed Sunday.
I feel it's a safety measure.

[SARose]

28. My husband is a faller

He uses his rollator walker at night for bathroom trips.

A night light didn’t work for him, either. We found some motion activated stick on lights we attached to the baseboards and underneath the bathroom vanity. Much better!

We also installed a taller toilet seat to help minimize overbalance.

I think we bought these at either Lowe’s or Amazon.

Hope this helps.

[MotownPgh]

30. My dad just uses a urinal ne t to the bed at night

Not worth risking a fall when he's sleepy/tired

[Submariner]

29. I'm a 78 yr old faller

With post polio syndrome, one of my legs will just cave and dump me on the floor.

I moved into a new place in October, and in my rushing took a nasty fall. The mover said my head just missed the corner of a staircase. It's scary.

I'm somewhere between occasionally using a cane, and contemplating going to the 4 wheeled walker for safety sake.

[No Vested Interest]

34. I've been using Hurrycanes for several years.

Used one for several years, now mostly use two for better balance, one in each hand.
For now, at least, this seems better than a walker - more flexible usage throughout the house, which has carpets, rugs, and wood flooring in different areas.
When practical, I walk near a wall or furniture so that something would be nearby to fall against or to break a fall.

[Submariner]

35. That's the ticket

I'm going to try at least one of those hurry canes to start. That bigger footing has to be better than my cane. I always get next to a wall, or something soft to ricochet off of for a softer landing. I have socks with suction cups soles for the slippery varnished all wood floors.

Thanks for the tip.

[ReRe]

32. Someone needs to come up with

"lessons for being old". The way it is, we get here and have to figure it all out ourselves, sometimes alone with no one about to call to for help if we need it. That's why those emergency devices are important to have. I don't have one yet, as I live with family. If I need help, I just call them on my cell phone (which I always have in my handy dandy 3-pocketed apron) and they are johnny on the spot in about 1 minute or less.

I'm the ripe old age of 75. I haven't fallen yet, but I do get on the floor sometimes when I'm doing something on the bottom shelf of a book case or cabinet, etc. I get up like a baby does when it learns how to walk. From sitting position, I pivot to my hands and knees, then hands and feet (one leg at a time), then walk feet forward inch by inch with hands stationary on the floor, and from there you can rise up to standing position.

I lied. I have fallen, but not from a standing position. I am a sleep-fighter. Does anyone have that problem? I go to sleep sitting at the computer in my swivel computer chair. When I fall to sleep, for some reason I fall to my left (though I am right--handed). OK. So when I fall to sleep my body swivels to the left and I don't wake up until I'm half-way to the floor and can't stop the fall. Haven't broken any bones yet, especially my left arm as it is the body part that takes the brunt of the fall. It is frightening, though. I learned to not try to get up immediately. Just lay there and don't move for a few minutes until the shock has passed. Like I described above, get up like a baby, first getting to sitting position. Haven't fallen like that in about a year, and I hope I never do it again.

I tell myself "ReRe, do your neb, take your meds and go to bed!