There comes a time when a person can no

longer take certain matters for granted. Abilities

one had at 30, 40 or even 60 years of age seem

to betray us. Of course, this means you must

adapt and discover methods to outwit the advancing

years. After all, old age and treachery

will overcome youth and ability. Or, something

like that.

I make no claim to treachery, but forethought

and research make a suitable substitute. Like

many of you, I live alone and am a senior citizen.

Hiking, jogging, Zumba dancing and running

marathons make my feet and back hurt at

the thought. Not that I wouldn’t like to engage

in activities like those, but, fortunately, as physical

strength decreases, it seems common sense

takes its place. As I try keep to myself healthy

and safe, this is what I’ve learned.

At home: Several years back when I still

thought myself invincible and doing overseas

traveling, I fell. Not far. It was the middle of

the night, no night lights and I was half asleep.

I simply sat down hard! Being a quick learner

– months of pain is a severe teacher – I now

have two motion-activated lights positioned on

the carpet in my bedroom and bathroom, and

a plug-in light illuminating the one step in my

house. If I get up at night, I sit on the edge of

the bed and kick my legs a couple times. It’s my

feet telling my brain it’s time to work together

to return me safely to my pillow.

My daughter and son were here after that

fall; when they left, there were grab bars in

the shower and around the toilet. I was also

the proud owner of a new iPhone – complete

with an alert device. The phone I kept; that alert

contraption I dumped. Inventors of those things

should be required to wear them day and night

for several months. I’m sure they would toss

the schematic on them and start over. The stiff

neck cable needs to be replaced with an attractive

chain and the alarm itself reduced in size to

resemble a small locket. When those appear, I’ll

reconsider. For now, I keep my iPhone within

reach.

Out and about: During the summer months I

do fine taking Missy for a walk, running errands

and trekking to the CCC Ponds. When winter

arrives, it’s a different story. Ice becomes my

nemesis. Every senior I know dreads the ice.

Wearing boots with a good tread helps stability.

I even went so far as to order a walking (hiking)

stick; the pad on the end can be removed to

reveal a metal point to stick into the ice. I poke

holes in the ice in the post office parking lot

all winter long. For walking on snow – maybe

ice – my younger son bought me a set of Snow

Trax to fit over my shoes. They are a nice upgrade

over the old wire ones.

Getting help: Number one here is having

good neighbors and friends, which I do. Until a

few months ago though, I worried about needing

help. I could call 911, but what if the doors

were locked? Then I learned that the sheriff’s

department would install a coded lock box on

my house with a key inside. All emergency personnel

know to look for one by my front door.

Whew! What a relief.

In addition, did you know that there are red

plastic pockets (magnet on the back) available

so you can stick them on the corner of your

fridge? Get them at Rendezvous Pointe. The

idea is for you to put all your medical information,

prescriptions and contacts in that pocket.

The EMTs know to look for it there if you call

on them. One more concern taken care of.

About a month ago I was visiting my sister in

Tennessee when my cell phone rang. My neighbor

Syd was calling to say my smoke alarm had

gone off and the fire department responded.

Then Wil Gay came on the line. Was my old,

but dear, log cabin going up in flames? He assured

me it was not. It seems a fellow playing

with his kids in the park across the street heard

my smoke alarms go off and called it in. Gay

said he found my lock box, got in the house and

checked everything out. All was well – just a

rebellious fire alarm acting up.

So, now let’s talk about those alarms. I have

four in the house. The naughty one is in my

bedroom and when it acts up, the others join in.

Missy can be found hiding in the back corner of

the closet. I have been known to beat that culprit

with the broom handle in the past. But, did you

know our local firefighters are willing to come

and check your alarms? They replace outdated

ones, install new batteries and test them all.

Cost? None. An appreciation donation can be

made to the firemen’s own fund.

Medical issues: Use pill boxes to keep

those prescription drugs organized. They inform

you if you missed a dose – or, not to

take another. I have a friend who is about four

years older than I am. She won’t use them but

plans to when she gets old. Take advantage

of our health fairs. What a wonderful service!

Also see your doctor and dentist regularly.

My kids live hundreds of miles away and

worry I am on my own. I love it here. Where

else could I have the personal assistance I

find here? Besides, I have a healthy supply of

common sense.