A Small Carelessness Can Cause Big Trouble

Today, once again, I am writing about taking care of our legs and, most importantly, preventing falls. I have written about this subject several times before, but as we grow older, it becomes so important that it deserves to be repeated. After all, one small mistake can put us on the bed for weeks or even months and suddenly bring our active life to a halt.

Today, many videos and messages circulate in our WhatsApp groups advising senior citizens to be extremely careful while walking, climbing stairs and, particularly, while using the bathroom. We all know that we need to be careful. We are reminded of it again and again. Yet, unfortunately, many of us still become victims of falls.

Often, it is not a major mistake that causes a fall. It could simply be a little overconfidence, a momentary distraction or the thought, “I have been walking here every day; what could possibly happen?” And then something happens that we never expected.

Let me share a few examples involving very close friends.

One friend was walking from his bedroom to the attached bathroom. There was a small mat at the entrance. His foot got caught in it, he lost his balance and fell. We use our bathrooms several times every day and feel completely familiar with the surroundings. But we must also understand that as we age, we do not lift our feet as much as we did earlier. Our walking pattern changes slightly, and this seemingly small difference can sometimes lead to a serious fall.

Another friend was taking his wife to the hospital for a medical problem. While helping her get into the car, his own foot landed awkwardly on an uneven portion of the road and he fell. Roads and footpaths are an unavoidable part of our daily lives, but uneven surfaces, potholes, broken pavements and unexpected changes in levels can become dangerous as we grow older. We need to be much more alert than we were earlier.

Another friend’s experience is equally instructive. She saw her husband falling and immediately rushed to help him. In her hurry, she lost her own balance and fell. She suffered a hairline fracture in her shoulder. She had to wear a sling for several weeks and the pain continued for a long time.

These are not unusual incidents. All of us have probably heard of several such falls involving relatives, friends or neighbours. The unfortunate part is that even after hearing these stories, we sometimes make the same mistakes ourselves and become examples for others.

So, what can we do?

1. The first and most important thing is to keep our full attention on walking while we are walking. We should not look at our mobile phones, read messages or become so engrossed in a conversation that we stop paying attention to the path ahead. The phone can wait for a few minutes. The consequences of a fall may last for weeks or months.
2. Avoid uneven roads and broken footpaths whenever possible. For our morning walks, parks or other places with reasonably even and safe walking surfaces are preferable. Walking safely is more important than walking fast.
3. Pay special attention to the bathroom. A slippery floor, a loose mat, poor lighting or unnecessary objects lying around can all cause accidents. Must get support or grab bars installed and make sure the floor remains dry. Another important precaution is not to change clothes in bathroom.
4. Do not hesitate to use a walking stick or ask someone to accompany you when necessary. Using a walking stick is not a sign of weakness. Taking support at the right time is actually an act of wisdom. We have to accept that our bodies undergo certain changes with age and adjusting our habits accordingly is not weakness; it is common sense.
5. Another important thing is to avoid overconfidence. Many of us say, “I am perfectly fine; I don’t need any support.” You may indeed be perfectly fine, but with age our balance, reaction time and control over our movements may not be the same as before. Recognising this is important.

And finally, preventing falls is not only the responsibility of the senior citizen; it is a responsibility of the entire family. Everyone at home should ensure that there are no unnecessary objects in the walking path, carpets and mats are not likely to slip, lighting is adequate and the bathroom is safe.

Our aim should be that growing older does not mean becoming less active. We have to keep walking, travelling, meeting people and doing the things we enjoy. But to continue doing all this, we must never take the safety of our legs and our balance for granted.

Remember, a little caution can keep us active for a long time, while a moment of carelessness can change our entire routine.
So, the next time you step out, climb down the stairs or walk towards the bathroom, just pause for a moment and remind yourself:

“There is no hurry. Walk carefully.”