Falling and Fun or Support Your Local Tree Trimmer

Here are a couple more posts about my husband. He is an amazing man.

I'm sure you know that older people fall more than younger ones and it is not a good thing! And the ways people find to fall? Holy cow! It is astounding what humans will do. Some fall because they are doing something a little daring or are not paying attention to the cracks in the sidewalk. There are rugs and cords and door jams and steps. I bet every reader could add to the list.

I fell walking on the golf course a couple of years ago and my neighbor did the same thing last month. We both fell because we stepped in holes covered by long grass. I only sprained my ankle but my neighbor broke himself in several places. Yesterday my husband began telling me about a man that fell out of a deer blind in a tree. Actually, that accident happens many times each year. I should have changed the subject as soon as I saw where it was going.

See, here is the thing...my husband and I quarrel about him getting up in trees. He is 75 and in very good health but still, I just don't think he should trim the tree while balancing on a branch. I never did. There are people that make a living climbing tree and cutting off branches. I want them to trim our trees. I am all for supporting the officially bonded tree trimmer in my neighborhood.

Yesterday we took up that very old conversation right where we left off the last time. "Why would you do that?" I keep asking.

He always stands as near to the edge as he can get!
Falling never crosses his mind.

That's when I saw it in my husbands eyes. This man/child I live with, the one that brings stray cats home and can make a bird land on his hand, loves to climb trees! He is having fun doing what he did when he was ten. My husband is proving to himself that he still can clamor around in trees and he is enjoying every minute of it. 

I don't know how this will turn out, I really don't. I am not his mother but still I feel responsible somehow. I will let you know when we actually hire a person to trim our trees. Keep your fingers crossed for him...and me. When we go back to Oregon there are trees waiting to be climbed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

b+

Note:  Here is a little statistic for you.

Men are more likely than women to die from a fall. After taking age into account, the fall death rate in 2010 was 40% higher for men than for women.

1 in 3 seniors are at RISK! Accidents at Home

I fell a couple of weeks ago.  I was out walking and stumbled over a sidewalk pushed up by a tree roots. It was a reminder of what could happen if I were to fall in just the right way even in my home. I am one of the 33% people over 65 that fall every year.  If I were 80, that would increase to 50%. Take a minute and see if you are doing what you should. It is important because -

• The cost of fall-related injuries is projected to reach nearly $55 billion by 2020—CDC’s National Center for Injury and Prevention Control.
• The majority of falls take place in the home.

This infographic shows you all the ways you can protect yourself from falling in your home. See if you are taking care of your health by preventing accidents. Then take a look around both inside your home and outside. These are the points they listed:

1. Be mindful of medications that may you dizzy. 
2. Use a non-slip mat in the bathtub.
3. Turn on the lights! Living in the dark is not only bad for your mental health it can also be a safety hazard.
4. Clean up spills immediately.
5. Be sure electrical cords and clutter don't trip you up.
6. Get rid of the throw rugs.  I know they are nice but they are still very dangerous.
7. Stay fit.
8. Wear good shoes
9. If you live in a place that is icy in the winter consider getting shoes that will help prevent slipping.

Infrographic in better detail here.

Now my friends please don't dig in and be stubborn. This is not all about you. My grandfather fell on my aunts front step and broke his hip. A fellow bloggers suffered the tragic death of her husband in a fall outdoors in the winter. The point is you also need to protect your friends and family. 

When it comes to strangers or guests in your home, you need to remember that you may be held accountable for an accident on your property. I was not broken when I fell in front of a neighbors house but if I had been, my insurance company probably would have gone after the homeowner or their insurance company.  The liability was certainly there.  

Keep in mind that preventing falls is a lot cheaper than paying for them! 

NOW, get up out of your computer chair and go out for a walk! Why?  Because I told you to. Just watch where you are walking...don't fall!   :)

Just a thought!

b

Note:  I received this information from Amedisys and was not paid to write this...I think it is important.