Who knew that a routine walk from the front door of her home to a parked car at the curb, and one small step off the curb, would send her tumbling into the street?
Three good Samaritans saw her fall, and they rushed to help.
Flustered and dazed, she figured the worst-case scenario might be a few bumps and perhaps a bit of road rash.
But as soon as she looked at the telltale swelling around her right ankle, she knew the stumble might be a harbinger of more bad news.
With that accident in 2012, I joined the ranks of more than 2.4 million older Americans who were treated in a medical center for injuries from a fall.
The fall — which made me come to terms with the fact that I literally lost my balance, a real revelation of sorts — resulted in a fractured ankle and a healing process that included wearing a “boot” cast for six to eight weeks. And later, eight weeks of physical therapy to regain basic range of motion and flexibility of my foot.
One in three older adults falls every year.
Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for those 65 and over. And with baby boomers joining the ranks of those older than 65 at the rate of 10,000 a day, the number of fall-related injuries and deaths is escalating.
Becoming a fall statistic does change your perspective. It should.
Could I have done more to anticipate the fall?
I have learned that the answer is yes, most falls can be prevented.
Fall prevention programs offer promising direction for simple, cost-effective help by eliminating known risk factors, offering treatments that promote behavior change and leveraging community networks to link clinic treatment and social services.
For more than eight years, the Pima Council on Aging has been offering A Matter of Balance, an evidence-based health program for older adults. It was developed at Boston University and started in 2004.
Through PCOA in Tucson, A Matter of Balance offers a series of eight, two-hour classes held twice a week for four weeks. The classes emphasize practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels.
The series of classes are offered in a variety of settings in Tucson, Green Valley and Oro Valley, at municipal and county-run recreation centers, for small group sessions led by a trained facilitator.
The contribution is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the eight classes over four weeks. That covers a workbook, materials and snacks.
Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild has issued a proclamation for Fall Prevention Awareness Day on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, PCOA and Pima County Health Department officials brought together local and regional emergency responders representing several different fire districts to discuss the escalating statistics of fatal and non-fatal injuries from falls, to create a first-ever Pima County Falls Prevention Coalition. The collaborative effort will promote the public health messages of ways to reduce fall risks.
“Falls are not a normal part of aging and the resulting injuries can steal quality of life from older adults and their families,” said Debra Adams, PCOA chief operating officer.
“We can change this by bringing greater attention to the many preventive measures that can be readily employed to keep our older adults safe,” Adams said.
