"HELP, I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!"
By Cecelia Tiemann, D.C.
Does this sound familiar? This is from an old commercial showing a senior citizen female in trouble in her own home. This woman apparently was living alone, fell and was trying to get help. I don't remember the rest of the story or what the consequences of the fall were. Typically, there may have been a fractured hip or cracked ribs. Falls are very dangerous for senior citizens.
Just a couple of weeks ago, my own father fell and broke his wrist. One year ago he also fell and hurt his back. These injuries don't sound so bad, but the side effects of falls can be extremely serious for seniors living with chronic illnesses. In the case of my father, he ended up getting a cancerous tumor in exactly the mid-back area he injured. This was cancer metastasis from the colorectal cancer he was being treated for with chemotherapy at the time. With this last fall where he fractured his wrist we are worried that there may be another metastasis and/or resulting weakness and acceleration of osteopenia into osteoporosis. Because fractures can lead to osteoporosis of the involved bones.
In the most recent fall, my father lost his balance as a result of medication which caused dizziness. However, he does follow an exercise regimen. I have also included Yoga exercises
to help with balance and body awareness. At first could not take the Yoga serious since he thought he was too old to be a beginner. After the last fall, he is taking it more serious.
Yoga for strength and balance are essential for seniors so that they continue to be independent, functional and accident free. It doesn't take alot of time, just 20-30 minutes three times a week.
With just these 3 sessions a week, you can benefit enormously and prevent falls.
A great and easy dvd for people getting started with Yoga is the Leslie Sansone, You Can Do
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