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By Clare Mendez, Resident When a senior person falls, it's not a laughing matter. Last year I tripped in my back yard and fell on the pavement. As I was on my way down (screaming like a banshee), I was imagining my bones breaking. Luckily, I was fine, but a bit shaken up. What if this was worse? It can make a big difference if you plan ahead. If you live alone, it's a good idea to have someone check on you daily and keep a list of emergency numbers near the phone or on the refrigerator. Whenever I go somewhere outside of my home, say for a walk, I bring my cell phone, but just to the back yard, I did not. Preventing falls happening in the first place is crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life. I should have looked where I was stepping, especially when outdoors or on an uneven surface. At home some strategies might include reducing clutter, improving lighting, installing hand rails and grab bars, and securing throw rugs or removing them all together. Engaging in regular exercise is a good way to stay strong. It's always a good idea to include some weight training even if the weight is light and you are in a wheelchair. Practice balancing exercises as well. Marching in place and then moving your legs side-to-side helps with balance. Next, try pointing your toe and lifting your leg about a foot off the f loor, all the while having something like a doorway, counter, or strong person close at hand to grab onto if you lose your balance. Manage your medications. Some medications can dehydrate you or cause dizziness. Discuss side effects of your medications with your doctor or pharmacist, and be sure to get regular health checks including hearing and vision exams. Before a fall occurs, practice safe ways to get up from a fall using the "back- to-knees-to-chair" method. If you feel unhurt and able to get up: stay calm. Take a moment to catch your breath and assess for pain or dizziness. Next, roll on to your side. Bend your knees slightly for stability. Then, get onto your hands and knees using your arms to push up. Crawl to a sturdy piece of furniture and use your legs to stand. If you cannot stand up, hopefully you can get to a phone to call for help, or yell out. Seniors who live alone should consider keeping a home phone that is low enough to reach so you can crawl to it, if needed. Important tip: After any fall, even if you feel fine, it's a good idea to let a healthcare provider know. Hidden injuries (like hip fractures) or underlying issues (like low blood pressure) may not show right away. Let's stay healthy and strong as long as we can. There is so much more life ahead and friends here at SDV to share those good times with. We worked our whole lives to get to this point. Let these be the best years. 8 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2025 By Sheryl and Tom Aloi, Residents With this being our first year of "retirement" we want to give to our community for those who might find themselves in a position of needing some kind of assistance in a particular area. This is for SDV residents only, who are either temporarily or permanently unable to do some things for themselves, where "a little help from a friend" might be welcomed. We are offering to assist with some simple tasks, (e.g., grocery/ pharmacy shopping/pick-ups, reading, visiting, light technical assistance, etc.). Sheryl can be very resourceful when it comes to organization, sorting mail, making appointments, etc. and either of us can offer help with an occasional ride (locally). MOST IMPORTANTLY, please don't be shy about asking, as "the gift is in the giving." If we cannot complete a particular request, we can try to find someone who can. In fact, we have already started a list of like-minded neighbors. So, please feel free to give us a call at (760) 845-0464, and we'll see if there is something we can do to help. For those of you who may be so inspired to join us in this effort, we can coordinate with you in areas that you are able to contribute within our SDV neighborhood. Please feel free to call or contact us at sher0042@att.net, letting us know your contact information, as well as any specific areas in which you would like to lend a neighborly hand in our community. Neighbor Assisting Neighbor Have a Nice Trip, Se You Next Fal

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