Don't let this happen to you!
A recent news story caught my eye because it highlights the need to concede a few things as we age -- like that we're not as nimble or strong as we used to be.
The story was about an elderly woman who was struck in her bathtub for what must have been an excruciating five days. She evidently lived on her own in an apartment. What saved her was a worried daughter who hadn't heard from her in days. The daughter didn't live near enough to check in on her, so she alerted the apartment complex's management.
It's a scenario that could happen to any of us—especially as we age. You want to keep your independence, but a little mindful planning can go a long way toward keeping you from getting into this predicament yourself.
If you live on your own, please consider wearing an alert, which allows you to push a button for help in case of an emergency. Even with a cordless phone, there are plenty of situations where your phone will be out of reach.
Picture if you, heaven forbid, fell down in your bedroom or missed the last step in your basement. Would you be able to get up again? If not, are you strong enough to pull yourself over to your nearest phone? I would recommend you check into LifeAlert?, endorsed by C. Everett Koop, M.D., the former U.S. Surgeon General. You can go towww.lifealert.com or call 1-800-360-0329 to order a free brochure.
Another thing to consider is this tub scenario. The story didn't indicate whether there were bars by which the woman could pull herself up. Even if there were, my guess is she may not have been strong enough. (One of many reasons why I encourage you to strength train.) One option to consider is the adult bath/shower chairs, which most medical supply stores will carry. Check your yellow pages under "medical supply stores" to find a local supplier.
And, while we all want to be as independent as we can for as long as possible, it may not be a bad idea to consider a living arrangement that specifically provides support for seniors.
