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My husband just called to tell me my 86 year old dad fell off a bicycle...

By Susan B. Geffen

My first thought was: a bicycle? The only exercise my dad has gotten in the last 20 years is walking from his car to into the racetrack or lifting a rib into his mouth (printed with permission of my dad who is reading these words just about now.).

The next thought I had was I hope that he has not broken anything. Thankfully, he just got a very bad bump on his noggin and his ego. What got into him? It was the urge to feel like a kid and just take off on a bicycle.

It was unfortunate that his leg didn't quite make it over to the other peddle. Who can blame him for t? I often have the urge to do things that I did in my earlier years, but that don't sit as well with me.

This was a wake-up call to him. It was not about refraining from calisthenics, it was about how he would handle laying on the floor and not being able to ultimately get up and make a call. What if he could not reach anyone and laid there until his wife got home?

The thought of any older adult, let alone my father lying on the floor with an injury for any period of time is heartbreaking. That is why he needs to have an emergency alert device. For your convenience, I have cut and pasted a link where I found a lot of options. If you are an older adult and you are reading this, please take heed. If you are caring for your parents or are loving an aging parent please consider this.

While I am on the topic of falls, many of you know by now (because you come to my seminars!) that 40% of older adults, who go into a nursing home from a fall, do not come out of the nursing home, ever. One in 20 hospitalizations of older people is directly related to falling. A fall can cause hip fracture, bleeding into the brain and premature death.

I was shocked to find out at my last doctor's visit that I had a Vitamin D deficiency. I mean it, I was shocked. After I first got over the shock of feeling like I could have been the mother to many of the pregnant woman in the waiting room, I was shocked again. This was a wake-up call to me. This was bad, but manageable. I now take supplements so that I do not suffer a devastating break. Please get your Vitamin D levels checked-NOW!

When I think about fall prevention, I think about that new pop song "It's all about the base, bout the base...." Why does that catchy and admittedly insipid song come into my head when thinking about fall prevention? I cannot stop singing "it's all about the core, bout that core."

Core strength refers to toning and strengthening of the abdominal and back muscles. Strengthening your core muscles - in your abdomen, back, and hips - can help. Core strength is closely related to balance, because you need good stability at your core to have safe and effective movement at the hip, knee, and ankle. Balance is the key element to preventing a fall. These muscles provide stability to your trunk. They link your upper and lower body and enable you to move in any direction or stand in one spot without losing your balance.

A recent study concluded that core strength training and/or pilates exercise training can be used as an adjunct or even alternative to traditional balance and/or resistance training programs for old adults. These exercise as well as doing Thai chi are easy to find and participate in as they are offered at many senior centers, health clubs and as part of the services offered to the community. If you cannot find a class, please find a way to do regular exercise focusing on strength, balance and gait. For those who feel unsteady, please seek the help of a physical therapist or trainer who specializes in seniors to design a safe, graduated program of strength-building exercise.

It may also bear repeating that poly pharmacy (too many medications) especially psychoactive drugs are a huge risk for falls. This is where the fragmented approach to medical care fails many older people. What's best for your blood pressure may be bad for your fall risk. What's good for your depression may be bad for your fall risk. It's all about trade-offs. Please take your medications to the pharmacy and have them reviewed. It is so easy.

Finally, please assess and correct hazards your environment. I went to client's house the other day and he almost tripped on a small rug as he tried to open the door leading to his Coy pond. With an explanation and his permission I removed all of these rugs from his house. Please do the same for yourself or your loved one.

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My Watch Dog Watchdog

Alerting you to the latest SCAMS, Elder Abuse, and things that are just plain WRONG!

93 Years Old Doesn't Mean Demented!

As you know, I am all about helping elderly people keep their dignity intact. That's why I was happy to help when a neighbor of an elderly gentleman told me about the financial, emotional, and now physical elder abuse being committed upon this 93 year old man. Let's call him Samuel. He has an estate worth over $2,000,000

Samuel and his wife helped two immigrant boys who are now in their early fifties. Recently, Samuel was in the hospital for a short time because of a non-life threatening illness. While still a bit "drugged up" from the medicines, one of the boys he helped raise had him declared "Mentally Incompetent" and took over all of his affairs without his consent. (He is more than competent-trust me)

Now, he no longer has access to his own funds at the bank. Friends are limited to visits no-longer than 15 minutes. Food has to be delivered. He is only allowed to travel to the drug store and back to his home.

Oh, and all of Samuels funds were transfered to another account and the location has not been disclosed as of yet.

How could this happen? It happened because of GREED. Pure and simple.

This young man decided to use a moment of weakness when Samuel was in the hospital to take advantage of the man who helped raise him as one of his own. He wrongly interpreted his Power of Attorney for Samuel as if it were giving him authority over all of Samuel's affairs. It does not. That would be a Conservatorship. Even more shocking is this young man's attorney has been complicit every step of the way.

Needless to say, I have agreed to represent Samuel to help him get his life back even though he cannot pay me because the young man took control of all his money!

Most elders cannot get recourse because they cannot pay an attorney if they do not have access to their funds.