April 20, 2012 > No Plopping allowed No Plopping allowed Submitted By Mary M. Anderson I consider myself to be a dignified senior, but not long ago I caught myself "plopping" into my favorite chair... not sitting down carefully and properly, the way I did when I was younger, but actually plopping! When did I start doing that? And what's worse, I found myself trying to get "momentum" in order to get up from my chair! You know, sticking my head out, rocking back and forth until I got the momentum I needed to actually propel myself to my feet. Exactly what did I think I was doing? The old rule, use it or lose it came to mind. I remembered reading about the free Fall Prevention program at LIFE ElderCare so I gave them a call and learned more about the program. Fall prevention isn't only about learning to keep your balance while standing - it's about developing skill in all the ways we move our bodies in order to maintain our safety and mobility as we get older. Barb, a certified fitness trainer, came out to the house and met with me. Oh she was fun to talk to. She told me that I needed to develop more strength in my legs in order to sit down and stand up properly. She created a custom exercise routine and had it sent to my doctor for approval. Then LIFE ElderCare assigned student nurses to come to my home once a week for 11 weeks. I was shown exercises to improve my posture, sitting, standing and walking and how to do them properly. Over time, with a little commitment and practice on my part, I taught myself to ease to the edge of my seat and stand up using my muscles. Now when I sit, I use my muscles to gently ease myself down into my chair. So, no more plopping! Dignity restored! If you're a senior in the Tri-City area of Fremont, Newark and Union City and are interested in improving your balance and preventing falls, call Sandy at LIFE ElderCare 574-2087 to enroll in the free Fall Prevention program. Your favorite chair will thank you! P.S. LIFE ElderCare's in-home exercise program is offered at no cost to home-bound seniors age 60 and older. In addition, you'll receive a free home safety assessment, minor home modifications and a comprehensive medication review. These combined measures may help decrease your possibility of a bad fall. If you are concerned about falling, doing fall prevention exercises can make all the difference!