I was thinking today when I tripped going up the handicap ramp in the garage, is this a part of getting old? Or is it just the stress of caregiving for hubby, financial disaster and/or having to work 25 hours a week?
It seems like for a few years now, if there is anything I can trip or stumble over, walk into or slip on, I will. If I can knock something over or drop something, I do.
I have become downright clumsy. I work in a daycare with the babies. Last week, I was carrying a baby and got my foot stuck in a bouncer on the floor. I almost went down, with the baby in my arms. Scary! I saw myself walking in a parking lot, toward the big windows of the store. I looked like I was stumbling and staggering. There was no grace in my gait. It was embarrassing.
Have any of you noticed this? Is it age...or something else? I have inherited clumsiness from Mom and Grandma, but neither one of them, to my memory, was this bad.
Stress
Tired
We do not pay attention to what we are doing, where we are going.
We forget that you have to pay attention to what we are doing.
There are things that can be done to increase balance and strength. That will help a lot
Paying attention and not multi-tasking
Getting enough rest
Many hospitals have a program designed to help prevent falls.
I was just at a Conference and there was a program about this. Here are some interesting facts that I learned.
30-35% of people 65+ fall each year
1 in 5 falls causes a serious injury.
Leading cause of death from injuries among people 65+ in 2010
Leading cause of non fatal injuries
Interesting thing is The fear of falling can cause you to restrict activities, but restricting your activity may actually lead to more falls. Inactivity results in muscle loss, loss of balance. It can also compromise social activities, increasing isolation, depression. So the far of falling can contribute to falling.
I would call the local hospital and ask if they have a fall prevention class, or ask at your local Senior Center.
Also ask the next time you are at the pharmacy if any of the medications you are taking can cause you to be drowsy, unsteady when you walk. (no one reads that huge piece of paper they give you with the medication)
And make sure you get your eyes checked as poor vision can be a problem.
Make sure you have bright lights, switch to LED's.
Remove area rugs
esp. going to all recommended doctors appts, eat right, exercise, meditate, get
support, and I'd say as important connect with church or whatever type spirituality
you align with. I've also gone to Naturopathic doctor with amazing results. Although buyer beware, alot of them are quacks and are also not as well covered by insurance. I get around this by going to regular doctor for most of my visits, xrays and labs, then skip the pills, procedures (if I can) and then get occasional second opinion and recommendation for supplements from Naturopath. Which I believe if proscribed by doctor can be deducted at tax time (I'm just about to find out) I highly recommend, it's made huge difference for me. Far fewer accidents and memory lapses now. And bladder incontinence, severe heart palpatations are much much improved as well.
Parkinsons is something I fear due to my mom having it. Always in the back of our minds, isn’t it?
Wow, interesting. Okay, is this ataxia? I have developed a phobia where I can no longer go on escalators going down, I feel dizzy, I feel like I will miss the steps. Not going up. I do fine stepping on it going up. Going down is the issue so I have resorted to using the elevator for that.
I feel you about the glasses. My dog chewed mine up a few weeks ago and I had to wear an old pair with no nose pads. Very uncomfortable! Did you find them?
Thanks again!
The last 6 months of my DH's live were extremely difficult for both of us and I practically lived on Ice Cream. It was the only thing my body wanted to eat. I regained 50 lbs in 2+ years.
2 weeks after he passed, I decided to lose the weight again and here I am, 9 months later, and 50 lbs lighter again. Nutrition really is #1.
Ive done this...during times my stress level was out of balance. You can't delete all stress, but you eliminate what unnecessary stress u can and balance what stress u do have to manage. Stumbling is your flag to rebalance your inner equation...rethink how u can rebalance yourself within and reset yourself.