Are you likely to fall after the age of 65? YES!

Why is it so likely that many of us will fall at some point after the age of 65?   

Ultimately, aging brings limitations to us all.  Not only physical limitations; many others.  Poor self-care, risks of living alone, depression, elder abuse, physical limitations, accidents in the home, neglect, ignorance, pride, denial, and disbelief. 

Lots of wood to chop here, so let’s take just three of the many reasons why people fall to begin this blog; Pride, Denial, and Disbelief.

I’ll start with a personal example: 

My dear wife Jean, had severe rheumatoid arthritis and rota-scoliosis, beginning at mid-life.  These physical problems caused foot-drop and a subsequent gait problems that put her at great risk of a fall.  I suggested using a cane many times but her pride and denial of instability made it impossible for her to use one even though it was needed.

After falling and breaking  several vertebrae in her back, I bought her a cane.  She cried. Pride and Denial a desire not to be seen as handicapped by friends and family.  

Later, she realized she had to use it, and did, but her health worsened as time passed.  Jean became very unstable, then diagnosed with COPD, and in need of oxygen complicating an already difficult problem. She needed a medical walker by then.  She refused to do that also even though it could easily carry her oxygen concentrator. By that time her instability caused her to fall many times.  As a result, Jean had several concussions. Three severe, and one where she almost bled out, all required hospitalization.

I spoke with her spine surgeon and asked him to help get her on a walker. He told her if she continued to fall and had a grave injury she might never walk again.  That convinced her.  A tough sell though.  Her disabilities were all progressing.  

Jean was later diagnosed with Cerebellar Ataxia; a progressive balance disorder similar to Parkinson’s.  Being bent over while using a standard Rollator walker causes patients lean forward while using the device and that puts pressure on lungs and heart restricting proper function, I decided to design an upright walker for Jean as there were none existing at the time. That design was to help her stand upright and not only breath more easily, it would keep her safer.

By the time I invented the UpWalker™ for Jean and began making them  [later with ultimately tens of thousands of people helped by them], Jean was delighted to have it. 

To develop it I used Jean as a model and did Human Factors studies of body mechanics to determine the best final form to keep her safe.

  Finally, she was positive about wanting help. Jean loved that I designed the Upwalker just for her. And it did prevent her from falling.

Others who saw the UpWallker and obviously needed it would say:  “Well, it looks terrific, but, not now, maybe when I’m older and in need, I’ll use one”.     Pride, Denial, and Disbelief.

I saw this over and over as I continued to develop of medical aids, when pride, denial and disbelief that a medical aid was needed for those who were obviously unstable, would not acknowledge an obvious need. 

I invented my most recent medical device, the Urigent™ to help prevent men from falling at night.  I did focus group studies as we did with the UpWalker to make sure we had a safe product.  

Products like this can and do prevent falls.  Some elderly men to whom I have shown it say: “Yes, it looks great but maybe I’ll need it later.”  They get up several times a night to pee; but they don’t need it yet!  I have then had several wives tell me that their husband does need it.  Once more. . . Denial!

Ask any Doctor; Pride, denial and disbelief of a medical problem or crisis can kill you!

Dave Purcell