Well, it is officially fall, my favorite season, when I can enjoy the cooler weather and start wearing my favorite sweaters. And every year the first week of fall is Falls Prevention Awareness Week, the nationwide observance to raise awareness on preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fear of falling.
Falls are the leading cause of injury for people over the age of 65 and were responsible for nearly 3 million emergency room visits for older adults in 2021. And unfortunately, the risk of falling and fall-related problems increases as we age.
You probably know these by heart, but here is a reminder of some actions you can take to prevent falls.
1. Stay physically active. Plan an exercise program that is right for you and includes balance and strength training exercises: Yoga, Tai Chi, or a Strong People’s class.
2. Find out about the side effects of any medicines you take.
3. Stand up slowly — especially if nature calls during the middle of the night!
4. Use an assistive device such as a cane or walker if you need help feeling steady when you walk. Or hold hands with your partner. People will think, “Oh, aren’t they romantic!”
5. Always tell your doctor if you have fallen since your last check-up, even if you did not feel pain when you fell.
6. Keep your bones strong to help prevent fall-related fractures and serious injury. Calcium and vitamin D can help as well as weight-bearing exercises such as walking, dancing, and hiking.
7. Fall-proof your home: declutter your living space, remove tripping hazards, and in your shower or bathtub use nonslip mats — or a bath seat if needed.
In addition, here are my five rules I try to follow because I’ve fallen and broken my hip once and I don’t need to do that again!
8. Keep your hands out of your pockets while walking.
9. Always hold on to the stair railing.
10. Don’t shuffle — which I do too often.
11. Pay attention — and don’t rush.
12. And most importantly, fight the urge to jump on your grandchild’s skateboard!
We think falls won’t happen to us, but they often do. We need to do what we can to prevent falls because one fall can change your life forever.
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BRAIN TEASE: Let’s move on to this tease and it’s a little tricky — unless you have heard it before.
“A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?”
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In her book “Soul Portrait,” Sally Zuck McBain wrote that a passion is something you not only love to do, you have to do it. So, the next question for your “Soul Portrait” is: What are your passions?
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In 1960, Sam Cooke sang, “Don’t know much about history/Don’t know much biology” in the song “Wonderful World” — not to be confused with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” I received correct answers from Judy Kiser, Shelly Hinatsu, Donna Mollet, Rhonda Spies, Keith Clymer, Rebecca Abrams, Kathy Bullack, Dave Lutgens, Lana Tepfer, Eva Summers and Kim Birge, this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
I began the month with the lyrics of a 1965 Motown song, and I thought I would close this series with a 1971 Motown song which may be as relevant today as it was when first released. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the song that included the lyrics:
“Mother, mother / There’s too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother / There’s far too many of you dying / You know we’ve got to find a way / To bring some lovin’ here today — yeah.”
Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of Barry Gordy founder of Motown Records.
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Well, it’s been another week, enjoying sleeping with the windows open. Until we meet again, explore the impossible — you may be surprised.
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“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”
— Victor Borge
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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Townhall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
Answer:
The ball costs 5 cents. Not 10 cents. One more dollar than 10 cents is $1.10. $1.10 + 10 cents is $1.20. One dollar more than 5 cents is $1.05. The sum of which is $1.10.
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