Glenelg Probus Has Formally Joined the PSPL Reform Group
The Probus Club of Glenelg Inc.
P.O.Box237,Glenelg, S.A.5045
NewsletterNovember2013
recruit active retirees
from business and the professions or likeminded men from any worthy vocation.Introduce your associates to Glenelg Probus.
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Glenelg Probus has formally joined the PSPL Reform Group
For news of the struggle for the future of the Probus Movement in Australia and New Zealand please visit the REFORM GROUP
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GUEST SPEAKERInOctober was Laurie Wild assisted by Chris Adley from Griffiths, a 64 bed private rehabilitation hospital. Griffiths has day and in-patient services, and we were treated to an hour’s free education on the essential life skill of FallAvoidance.
The World Health Organisation defines a fall as “an unintentional lowering of the body”. Rarely a problem for the young and fit, such event can be life changing for any of us with diminished reserves and healing capacity. Without specifying the long-term effects, by the age of 65, one in three people in the general community have had a fall. In residential care, the rate rises to one in two! It appears thatjust being over 75 is a risk factor. Even over 65 is too, and more surprising, even over 50 is a risk because by that age almost everyone uses spectacles at least for reading. You may trip on an unseen because of not enough light, because you haven’t got your specs on or because you’re trying to see the ground ahead through reading glasses. Laurie identified that bi-focals (as distinct from multi-focals)are an extra hazard because you have to look through the reading section of your lenses when you should be using the distance or intermediate sections.
It is instructive to look at one’s own risk factors for having a fall:Risk factors include co-morbidities like stroke, brain bleeds, joint and muscle problems, low bloodpressure or being on treatment for high or low bloodpressure, taking 4 or more prescription drugs daily,self medicating drugs, not having a review by a pharmacist (not just a GP) to identify interaction of drugs, and personal habits.Those of us included here have an increased risk of falling, and the risk factors are cumulative.
Personal habits play an important part: Do you wear scuffs? They appear almost intentionally designed to trip! So you only wear them going to and from the bathroom - the worst place for them! You don’t turn the light on before you get out of bed? You rely on light coming in the window? You scuff your feet (defined as not positively placing the heel before the toes)? You think you know where all the furniture is all the time and there are no loose objects? You are pushing it!
Laurie said that 4% of hospital admissions are fall related, and 10% of falls cause death. One in four survivors never regain pre-fall mobility, activity level or confidence, with the result that they are more likely to have another fall. The sadprogression from fall, broken bone, immobility, pneumonia, and death is common.
According to Laurie, historically 70% of falls were inside the home and 30% outside. Now the ratio has reversed. Inside falls are divided as 50% in the lounge and bedroom, 20% in the kitchen. He gave us some tips about reducing risks: Chairs or beds which have the knees higher than hips make it harder to get up without falling.Don’t rely on window light. Tripping hazards include sheets, quilts, pet animals, extension cords and rugs. People over 85 are said to be of “advanced age”, and if you use assisted living, or have cognitive or memory issues, Parkinson’s disease, stroke damage, muscle weakness, slow reaction time and the like you need to take more care and do what you can to rehabilitate. You can regain muscle strength (the rate of recovery does not reduce with age). Even after stroke, balance can be restored – there are two sensors used for balance, one is vision and the other inner- ear hairs. Balance can be retrained and strengthened by training and exercise. Laurie demonstrated 20-second balance exercises which will improve balance in as little as three weeks. Urine urgency syndrome causes falls in hurrying from bed at night, and our speakers explained practices and exercises to restore pelvic floor strength.
They discussed the importance of “getting back on the horse”: Fear of falling again causes inactivity, which exacerbates the original problem, so the fear becomes self-fulfilling.
The cost of falling is a sobering figure: In 1988/89, road accidents cost only $52M compared to $330M for falls. The current estimate is $558M per annum.
November Speakerwill beBOB GROSSER, famous traveler, talking on Antarctica.
saint Judes playersWednesday 20th November: A chorus of Disapproval The lucky ones have already got their tickets for this comedy.
merry christmas lunch
Tuesday 17th December at the Glenelg Golf Club.Own transport, and if you need a lift up the hill from the carpark, let us know. Cost is subsidized by Glenelg Probus down to $40pp, pay by or at the November meeting.
This is our grand event and best summer venue jolly good fun and outstanding value.
It’swell worth inviting your friends too.
Meet at noon for an aperitif. Sit down at self-sorted tables of ten at 12:30.
Tom has negotiated a superior menu and the club is subsidizing the cost by $5 and providing extra goodies.
Entrée of Prawn Salad
Choice of main course: Traditional Roast Turkey or Barramundi
Choice of dessert: Traditional Christmas Pudding with custard & fresh cream
orIndividual Pavlova, Chantilly Cream & Raspberry Coulis
Many table gifts of Champagne courtesy of Glenelg Probus
General Club Business
ComputerGroupMeeting Ladiesandfriends with or withouttheir partnersarewelcome attheGlenelgDistrictCricketers Club,upstairs onthe first Tuesdayof the month at9:30 am.The usual format is question and answer/discussion and some prepared demonstrations. Someparticipantsstayforlunch after themeeting. Catchupwithtechnologyinyour life. Join us and stay active!
CommitteeMeetingThenext one will beat 9:30 am onTuesday10th December attheGlenelgDistrictCricketers Club.
GeneralMeetingThenext one will be at10:00am onThursday21st November attheBayFunction Centre. Afterwards, have lunch at theBistro.
To seenewslettersin colourand to be able to use the hyperlinks, as well asextra news, breakingnews, datesfor meetings andactivities,electto receiveit byemail,and/or click onthe Glenelg Probuswebsiteor justGoogleGlenelg Probuson anycomputer or your favouredgadget. Members may also access the members-only page for private material.
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