Tales from Yale 1963

Pride goeth before the fall !!

Suggested web content at

check http://mayoclinic.org, site

OR http://clevelandclinic.org, site

OR http://yalemedicine.org, site

for recommendations regarding falls, assessment, syncope, statistics for persons over 70.
From reported experiences obviously preventable:

• reports of falls on stairs; installing a second handrail
• falls caused by loose fitting footwear, sandals,
flipflops, or those with straps 
• stepping on long shoe laces
• leg giving out or dizziness when standing up quickly
from sitting position
• falls or trippings caused by cords,
leashes, or irregular surfaces
• unexpected impacts from
removal of tree limbs or branches

Compiled list of miscellaneous falling events reported by Classmates:

I fell face
first down a flight of stairs recently.

Tripped on my Birkenstocks.

Landed on the wood deck and was able to lay
flat and distribute the load.

I did a face plant on the
driveway falling off a ladder putting up Christmas lighting.

Balance issue - Standing up after sitting for a long time

Not noticing uneven sidewallks or small items in ones
backyard

misjudging the final step(s) in descending stairs (with
unmarked front edges)

Falling due to possible syncope or
fainting

Misstep loose fitting shoe/slippers/flip-flops -

Medication known to cause dizziness

Descending
stairs but not holding on to railing; greater risk
when carrying item

Fall down a flight of
stairs by a retired colleague that I think was related to
alcohol and subsequent misfooting


Stepping on ones long shoe lace

Misjudging height of a stair riser and  stairs without a hand rail

"black" ice - esp. for those in the
North


Jon Larson and Jim
Courtright

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