VA Rehabilitation Unit
Falling Prevention
2024.02.18
San Francisco - California
|
|
VA Rehabilitation Unit
Falling Prevention
2024.02.18
San Francisco - California
|
|
Falling Prevention
I went to the VA Nuerology Department on February 13, 2024 to have my nervous system tested in my legs. They wanted to find out if the messages from my legs to my brain were functioning correctly. They indicated for someone 84, I had very good nerve function.
The next day, February 14, 2024 I was coming home around 2 p.m. and there was a light shower. I rushed across the street and stubbed my left toe and fell like a ton of bricks, in half a second! I had a bad scrape on my left elbow and left knee.
On February 16, 2024, I went to the VA Rehabilitation Unit for testing of my balance and walking abilities and what if anything, could be done to help rectify any problems associated with falling.
I told him I had fallen on Wednesday and the first thing he said was you have three senses to use:
- Visual - Eye coordination
- Inner Ear - For balance
- Nerves in Legs - Messages to the brain as one walks
He tested my legs again as they did in Neurology. He said the messaging was excellent as the other department indicated but, he said the top of my feet did not respond as fast as they should have.
The therapist said there are two things most older people should do to avoid falling.
- Take shorter steps
- Walk slower
He said when one walks too fast the messages from the nerves to the brain don't have enough time to connect to the brain. Also the long steps also slows down the messages to the brain for it to process what is going on.
He indicated most of us older people have very tight muscles in our calves and upper back of the legs that need to be stretched. He also said most of us have a more limited use of our feet/ankles, they do not bend enough when walking. When standing, one should be able to bend the front of the foot up at least 5 percent higher then the heels.
He gave me some exercises to help my balance and ability to walk better. He said I should start to do my yoga and Pilates again for balance and stretching.
He said walking 5,000 steps a day was great and to do the stair steps and muscle stretching exercises as soon as one has done about half an hour of walking. The muscles are already stretched and the blood flow is higher.
I did have a good laugh, he indicated unless I have motion problems in the future, I should maybe make an appointment when I am 90!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Created on: 2024.02.17 |
Return to
 Home Page
|
Updated on: 2024.02.17 |