GENERATIONS
West Central Tribune - Willmar, Minn.
Photo courtesy of Terry Shaw
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 | D9
Contemplating when My life has been good, and still is for me But, my brother struggled, and died at 33. My dad, from whom I wished I’d learned more, was also too young, and passed at 44. Another brother, who worked hard to survive, never made it past 55. Then came sis, with a life lacking kicks, She checked out at age 66. So, when explaining my arrival at the pearly gate, I had told my remaining sib: I’ll take 77, she can have 88! Paul Higdem, age 71, and getting nervous. By Paul Higdem Willmar
6 WAYS TO PREVENT FALLS AROUND THE HOUSE
Pandemic play helps break the monotony BY TERRY SHAW
P
Willmar
uzzles, paint by numbers, crosswords and various games are some of the many ways seniors have filled their days during the pandemic. A few summers ago, my wife and I were visiting her brother and his wife. They asked us if we would like to play a game of Rummikub with them. We had never heard of the game but told them we would try it, loving games ourselves. We enjoyed the game, and, sometime later, we were browsing a garage sale, when my wife noticed the game for sale. So, we bought it, played a few games by ourselves, and then we taught it to some friends, who liked the game also. Last March, when the pandemic hit and we were asked to remain indoors, we decided to play one game every day to break up the monotony. Pretty soon we were playing a game every morning, walking our dog, eating noon dinner,
then playing a game in the afternoon, and then walking our dog again. Each game consisted of four “hands” and lasted for about an hour and a half. We thought we were exercising both our minds and bodies each day, between the game and the dog. Rummikub is basically rummy using four double sets of colored numbered tiles instead of cards. After you “meld” 30 points, you can play on anybody’s tiles that have already been played, and “steal” tiles if you can leave the required three tiles or more. It takes a lot of concentration and memorization, so it’s a perfect game for seniors who believe that mind exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Two things bothered us about the game, one being the turning over and mixing of all the 106 tiles after each “hand.” I decided to take a black nylon bag I had and just put the tiles in it, shake the bag up, and draw new tiles from it. One problem solved.
The other bothersome thing was, especially with four players, trying to keep in mind all the different sets in front of each player after he or she played them. You had a run of blue, say, and a set of three like numbers, others might have similar sets, which you could use or “steal” from, if you could just keep all the different combinations in mind. So, my wife and I went to Menards and bought some small white construction trim boards, which were lightweight, being foamed filled, and we used Menards’ table saw in its warehouse, (which anyone can do) to cut them to the right lengths. We took the boards home, and I took colored magic markers and drew tile lines and numbers on them. It really made the game easier to play. By the end of the year, my wife and I had played 364 games She had beat me 187 games to 177. We started a new “record sheet” after the new year began. I lead her eight games to six.
Despite all of the potential hazards around a house — from electrical issues to fire hazards to carbon monoxide — the National Home Security Alliance says that falls are the leading cause of death due to home accidents. Falls are responsible for one-third of all home-related fatalities. Although seniors are the group most affected by falls, these types of accidents can affect anyone. A broken bone may be a minor inconvenience for young people, but fractures are more serious for the elderly. As a result, seniors must take measures to protect themselves against falls. These steps can minimize risk at home. 1. Remove tripping hazards. Examine rooms and hallways for potential hazards, such as slippery throw rugs, floorboards that stick up, loose carpeting, or furniture that blocks walking paths. Remedy these hazards as soon as possible. Address loose floorboards and/or place non-slip materials beneath rugs. 2. Install grab bars or railings. Install grab bars in certain locations for extra stability or where someone may need leverage getting up from a seated position. They are particularly helpful near toilets and bathtubs and in stairways and hallways. 3. Stick to sensible shoes. Sensible shoes fit properly and have sturdy, non-skid soles. Avoid walking around in slippers or even in stocking feet, which are much more slippery. 4. Store items within reach. Store items that are used frequently, such as dishes, in easily accessible cabinets and other locations. This prevents having to climb or reach for them. 5. Install more lighting. Poor visibility can contribute to falls. Lighting in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, and bedrooms — even if it is a small night light — can be enough to light the way. 6. Reinforce your home’s exterior. Falls do not only occur inside. Inspect the perimeter of a property for uneven turf, holes or cracked or uneven patches of walkways. Make sure lighting is working at entryways, and check that exterior handrails are secure. Falls can cause serious injury or death, particularly for aging men and women. Simple fixes around the house can make things more secure and reduce the risk for falls.
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