­­– Claude D. Pepper

Seniors, friends and everyone, please do not fall! Especially for seniors, falling has been a hot topic.

A portrait of an older America is emerging. Never before have so many people lived so long. The risk of falling can be a major cause of frailty and disability in late life. Falling is a major cause of broken hips and other injuries that lead to disabilities and loss of independence. We all seek ways to embrace aging and make it the best it can be by enjoying health and productive senior years. We realize that a good level of health and fitness means we can fulfill our potential both physically and mentally.

Aimed at improving the quality of life for older people, the National Institute of Aging covers a broad range of issues and concerns. Enormous progress is being made. The biology of bone has been studied with increasing interest because of its impact on the daily life of older people.

Ever since the discovery in the mid- 1960s that bone is a dynamic tissue that constantly remodels, research has concentrated on the dynamics of the renewal process. Studies in recent years have shown that changes in bone composition and quality, a loss of supporting and protective skeletal muscle or a combination of the two can lead to falls, weakness, frailty and fractures.

Because it is winter and slippery under foot, my friends and family seem to be warning each other, “Don’t fall. Hold on to the rail. Let me help. Careful. Don’t fall. Don’t fall.” Well, ironically, walking in my nylon stockings, I slipped on a high step and fell in the house, on a hardwood floor. I am sitting on ice packs and taking Tylenol. Extremely painful, but everything is fine. The whole idea of this column is to caution everyone to be careful.

In keeping with that theme, “A Matter of Balance” is a nationally recognized program designed to reduce the fear of falling and encourage physical activity. The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is starting an eightweek Friday session Feb. 26 through April 15 from 9-11 a.m. The program is free, participants must pre-register. For more information, call 283-3199 or visit www.sacorec.com.

On another note, there is something remarkable and unique about the members of the Southern Maine Health Care Auxiliary. For many years, members of the organization have worked to help the hospital. I can remember many of the wonderful events from the past.

Some of the highlights from last year were raising over $22,000 at the annual golf tournament for the Cancer Care Program and Pediatric Asthma program (this year’s tournament will be held in September at the Webhannet Gold Club in Kennebunk) and the Tree of Life event raising over $4,000 for the Emergency Department. The group also is close to reaching its goal of $50,000 for the Mobilab system to be utilized at the Sanford campus.

Above all, be careful – do not fall. It hurts!

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at [email protected].