[DocL]

My father is in his early 80's and has fallen twice in the past two years. He's broken his arm and leg and needed surgery both times to have rods and screws in both. His balance and stability have gotten worse over the past ten years, even he knows it.

Two weeks ago a patient who is 82 fell in my waiting room and hit his head really hard on the edge of the reception counter. A few other people saw him fall, he said he was off balance and tripped on his own foot. I had him transported to the ER because of the laceration to his head and the possibility of internal bleeding. Luckily he was fine and the CT was negative.

For myself I have noticed that my balance isn't as good from just 10 years ago. When I'm on my boat I'm now more careful and don't jump on and off like I used to.

As we all get older we have to deal that we aren't as nimble and make the appropriate lifestyle changes.