Mature Life Features

. . . may remember this

(and some of you may not),

but it’s a reminder of why

we wish an actor good luck

by saying “break a leg” —

it’s because every production has a cast.

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It’s Fall Season

Year ‘Round at Home

More than 50percent of all falls occur at home, so that’s where you should start looking for hazards – and eliminate them. The death toll from fall-related injuries for people 65 years and older tops 17,000 each year and some 3 million more seniors were treated in emergency rooms around the country for injuries sustained in a fall.

Fall-prevention should be high on seniors’ priority lists.

Start by making sure your vision is not failing and that the interior and exterior of your living quarters, whether it’s a house or apartment, are well lighted night and day.

Remove rugs from slippery floors and tack down carpet edges that may curl up. Don’t leave shoes, slippers, socks and clothing laying around on the floor. Install handrails alongside all stairs and steps and grab bars in showers and bathtubs. Then check your medications to see if any of them interact in a way that might affect your vision or make you dizzy.

. . . long-ago pals during my recent trip back home

we drug up the long-ago story about

the kid on the farm down the rod who was

given a pet pig

and he named it

Chris P. Bacon.

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Falls Happen Any Time of Year

Half of the 32,000 deaths caused by falling happen to folks 75 years or older.

Falling is second only to heart disease as the major cause of deaths, and aging is the number one factor involved in these fatalities.

Three major causes of the more than 35 million falls reported annually are a step, slip or trip, all of which can be prevented, according to a consensus of health officials across the land.

Maintaining a healthful regimen is the initial process in the campaign to avoid falling.

Eat regularly and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Develop and a keep up a regular exercise program that includes stretching and balance exercises as well some stamina, such as walking or swimming or biking.

Get regular medical checkups as well as hearing and vision tests.

Talk with your doctor about the effects and interaction of the medications you’re taking and ask if you should add vitamin D or calcium to the list.

Meet with them immediately if you’re having light-headed, dizzy or fainting spells.

Have all your prescriptions filled at one pharmacy and get your supplements there so you can discuss how everything interacts.

When you get home, remove all loose mats and rugs that make easy trip-over material. Check your furniture layout to ensure you have plenty of room to move around. Get rid of excess pieces that may look nice but are in the way.

Wear non-slip footwear around the house.

If it’s suggested that you might need a walker or cane, get one, and use it. Consider getting a medical alert device, especially if you’re living alone.

To avoid slipping, install non-slip flooring in your tub/shower and install grab bars at critical spots in the bathroom.

Add nightlights and handrails along the corridors that lead from your bedroom to bathroom.

While you’re at it, install night lights and handrails along the stairs to your basement and bedroom. Keep all passages well lighted and clear of rugs and objects you can trip over.

Store everything – canned goods, tools, laundry soap – within easy reach without the need of a ladder or step stool.