I was reminded this morning a health warning I was given about 3 years ago that I so often forget.
PUT YOUR PANTS ON OVER BOTH LEGS WHILE SITTING DOWN:
Three years ago, a farmer friend in his mid 80's passed away. He was a healthy active retired farmer, but helped his two sons on the farm, rode his horse at least weekly and still had an active pilot's license. One day he fell and broke his hip. His health never returned and nearly a year later he passed away. I co-officiated in his funeral.
I have known of several healthy elderly people who died within months to a year after breaking a major bone in their body. My friend said this to me: "I got up in the morning and put my pants on just like I had been doing for 80 years., But, I tripped as I was putting my second leg in. I fell and broke my hip." He died within 8 months of the fall.
One of his sons (who used to be my neighbor) told me, in his presence, "I told dad, he need to learn to put his pants on over both legs WHILE sitting down or sitting on the edge of the bed. I do that as a habit and I am 30 years younger than him."
AS A RESULT of that conversation, I started doing that but not always consistently. Every time in which I almost stumble, I remember the conversation and sit down to finish getting my pants on.
I am 76 and reasonably healthy, strong and reasonable mental health (I still forget a lot). As a result, there are things I can do - in which many my age cannot do. However, I have known several elderly people in the last 3 - 4 years who were healthy until a tripping or a fall and a major bone breaks. There are many things elderly should avoid if possible, but bone breaking is one accident that turns excellent health into a very weak state, and that eventually leads to an earlier death than otherwise would have happened.
This morning, I was reminded of this when I needed to hurry and get started with slow smoking some meat on the grill. Jumped up, grabbed my pants and almost tripped. Sat down on the edge of the bed and finished.
Common ordinary things with a minor mistake can lead to major health problems and even death, especially for those who are aging from their '60's.
Comments?
PUT YOUR PANTS ON OVER BOTH LEGS WHILE SITTING DOWN:
Three years ago, a farmer friend in his mid 80's passed away. He was a healthy active retired farmer, but helped his two sons on the farm, rode his horse at least weekly and still had an active pilot's license. One day he fell and broke his hip. His health never returned and nearly a year later he passed away. I co-officiated in his funeral.
I have known of several healthy elderly people who died within months to a year after breaking a major bone in their body. My friend said this to me: "I got up in the morning and put my pants on just like I had been doing for 80 years., But, I tripped as I was putting my second leg in. I fell and broke my hip." He died within 8 months of the fall.
One of his sons (who used to be my neighbor) told me, in his presence, "I told dad, he need to learn to put his pants on over both legs WHILE sitting down or sitting on the edge of the bed. I do that as a habit and I am 30 years younger than him."
AS A RESULT of that conversation, I started doing that but not always consistently. Every time in which I almost stumble, I remember the conversation and sit down to finish getting my pants on.
I am 76 and reasonably healthy, strong and reasonable mental health (I still forget a lot). As a result, there are things I can do - in which many my age cannot do. However, I have known several elderly people in the last 3 - 4 years who were healthy until a tripping or a fall and a major bone breaks. There are many things elderly should avoid if possible, but bone breaking is one accident that turns excellent health into a very weak state, and that eventually leads to an earlier death than otherwise would have happened.
This morning, I was reminded of this when I needed to hurry and get started with slow smoking some meat on the grill. Jumped up, grabbed my pants and almost tripped. Sat down on the edge of the bed and finished.
Common ordinary things with a minor mistake can lead to major health problems and even death, especially for those who are aging from their '60's.
Comments?
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