Falls for the elderly are in slow motion. We know we're going down and we know where. Our butt hits the ground before our head knows we're falling. Our reaction time is too slow to halt or control the fall.
So what was I doing? I was cleaning my car. I had my stepladder so that I could clean the top. I put the stepladder aside when I was finished with it. (You'll need to know this later. )
I was cleaning the exterior below the doors and backing up. Somehow I tripped while going backward. Not a problem. You just fall on your butt which at this point is close to the ground.
Okay the ladder was 2 ft away from the car. Some how, I got my feet tangled up in the ladder. My fall was rapidly picking up speed and the ladder was in the way. I knocked the ladder down and was tangled up in the ladder. I checked myself to see if I'd done any damage. Maybe, I should ice this bruise for few minutes.
I came outside a few minutes later to finish the job. I noticed that the step ladder was in awful shape. Some of it looked like spaghetti . I picked the stepladder up but it would not stay standing. So my step ladder was injured. I carefully bent back some pieces of step ladder and I'm back in business again.
Sorry about your fall. Maybe you need to investigate doing some balance exercises. It might help.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for balance exercises but now it's a serious problem.
DeletePlease make sure your ladder is safe before you use it. The last thing you need is a shaky ladder! I have been reading how falls are becoming more and more of a problem for seniors. We are learning how to stay healthier and live longer but that does not always mean our balance is better. My brother (78) is very healthy and walks several miles every day but he has been having more falls as he gets older despite his good health. Now he is about to have shoulder surgery due to damage done by falls. I say this for myself and all of us - we have to be aware and be careful and I know that is easier said than done! Stay safe Red!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I know what you say is completely correct.
DeleteGlad you are okay and hope your step ladder is still safe to use. I washed my vehicle the other day I just sprayed the top with the hose...who looks up there anyways:)
ReplyDeleteYes, the ladder is still safe.
DeleteI may have said this before but you need to wear a foam rubber sumo wrestler suit whenever you go outside. As washing your car has become so hazardous, may I suggest that you get The Micro Manager to do it in future.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that's really not a bad idea!
DeleteI'm big enough as it is so I don't need the sumo costume. I did say I wanted the car washed.
DeleteWell I'm glad that you didn't injure yourself. These things do, as you say, happen so quickly.
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't think I realize how lucky I am.
DeleteYou are a caution! What did you other half say?!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember what the other half said. I think it was a bit of a jumble!!!
DeleteOh, Red, poor step ladder. Oh yes falls happen.
ReplyDeleteYou know my step ladder is from 1970!
Deletethat was lucky! It could have been you twisted like spaghetti!!!! Take care!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Old people twist very easily.
DeleteGlad it was just the step ladder and not you that was the more seriously injured, Red.
ReplyDeleteThings happen so innocently.
DeleteGlad you're okay; but imho no one over age 65 should climb a ladder, be near a ladder, even know what a ladder is.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. It's serious business.
DeleteYour children should be concerned. It’s not easy dealing with a parent like you. Your foolish act could have greatly changed the micro manager’s life. Probably time to chain you to the porch post.
ReplyDeleteHey I won't let any of them read your comment! I understand what you say and that it's serious.
DeleteA man I have known all my life- a distant cousin, actually- once fell off his roof. The neighbour across the road saw it and came over. He was perfectly fine. He'd been in the military as a young man, did a lot of parachuting, and had been trained to go limp as the ground came closer. The old training kicked right back in.
ReplyDeleteThat one makes a lot of sense.
DeleteI know what you mean about falling in slow motion. I have had a few "trips' myself.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I'm going to have to take safety seriously.
DeleteI really don't think I could trust that ladder again. Not that I like any ladder anymore. I have a 3-step stool with rods on the sides for support. If it is any higher than that, I don't go!
ReplyDeleteMy ladder is fine. The climber needs his head examined.
DeleteSeems that the ladder got the worst of it. I'm glad you're okay, but gosh Red you've got to be more careful. Now I would be leery of using that stepladder. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have been used to ladders all my life. for this incident , I was almost on the ground. The poor ladder just got in the way.
DeleteLucky you didn't get seriously injured. Falls do happen and I always try to stay cautious of where I'm placing my feet.
ReplyDeleteMy butt was less than 2 ft off the ground so it wasn't really a fall. the ladder just happened to get in the way.
DeleteYou do not look elderly to me, but I bet that fall hurt. :(
ReplyDeleteMy Dad fell on ice when he was in his sixties. Broke his hip, but somehow managed to get back in his truck, drive home, and lay down in the living room before realizing he could not get up again.
A hip break is not funny. I hope he recovered without any disability.
DeleteOh dear, poor ladder. Better the ladder twisted up than you though. Glad you are okay. (And thank you for the compliment on my blog for my writing. So kind of you and much appreciated.)
ReplyDeleteThe poor old ladder just happened to get in the way.
DeleteIt seems the ladder got the worst of it . . . unless you are now discovering more bruises than you thought you had! It is too easy to fall as we get older. I'm glad you're okay.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've experienced finding bruises later but not this time.
DeleteLucky you, damage can happen in a flash and the strange thing is that your mind is faster than your body. When I fall I realize I am falling before hitting the ground....
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you are okay and didn't experience any serious injuries! Please be careful!
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky you didn't break or hurt anything except that ladder!
ReplyDeleteFalls, especially at our age, are so scary, so I'm very glad you didn't break any bones. But, that the ladder got torn up in the fall made me laugh. I love how you wrote the story. Leaving the ladder where I would back over it is just like something I would do.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Take it easy, Red! Seriously, I know what you mean about falling in slow motion. A few years ago I was walking with my mom on Third Avenue in New York when she fell -- and it was like slow-motion for ME, to see it happening and be unable to react in time. I hope your "repaired" ladder is safe to use!
ReplyDeleteIve lost track of the number of vertigo induced falls I've had but that isn't the real problem. It's the fact that I haven't taken note of the fact that I'm not in my twenties anymore...:(
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are ok and no serious injuries. I have similar falls just not with a ladder. Take care and have a happy week!
ReplyDelete