Skip the Ritalin and get a set of dumbbells
It seems mainstream medicine isn't content with having only a baby-sized pool of kids on Ritalin—they're now eyeing the larger, Olympic-sized pool of seniors as a potential client base.
In a leap of creativity, the suggestion is that it can help older folks reduce their risk of falling—by keeping them mentally sharp.
Because as we all know, the majority of people who fall are just the dull-witted sort. What a ridiculous argument—and stretch of the imagination—this is. Sure, it's possible that you can fall simply by not paying enough attention to your surroundings. But I don't think taking Ritalin will help you better ignore the dog or cat that just got tangled up in your feet or avoid that fan chord that's stretched across the hallway.
Don't get me wrong—falling is no laughing matter. But you're not falling because you're mentally unstable. You're falling because your muscles have deteriorated to the point that when Fluffy gets underfoot—trying desperately to redirect you toward the food bowl—you don't have the physical ability to recover before taking a header.
But what defies the logic of this suggestion are some of the side effects of Ritalin. Dizziness. Drowsiness. Insomnia. These are the very things that make you even more prone to falls when coupled with neglected muscles.
If you want to prevent falls, I recommend you do strengthening exercises. It doesn't have to involve a fancy gym membership, though I certainly wouldn't object if you treated yourself—and actually went. The important thing is to perform the resistance movements that pump up your muscles, whether it's with a set of dumbbells or two cans of green beans. You should find a certified personal trainer to show you the ropes to make sure you're performing the exercises correctly. (Locate one at www.ncsa-lift.org.)
Dumbbells not your cup of tea? Then try Tai chi, an ancient and easy-to-learn form of Chinese calisthenics that helps calm the mind, reduce stress and improve balance—all of which reduces your chance of falling. (See www.taichinetwork.org/list to locate an instructor).
Whatever you do, don't take a pill to prevent a fall. That's like taking a pill to prevent you from running a red light. A little precautionary attention just makes a lot more sense than looking for a magic bullet.
