Will Your Vanity Be Your Downfall?
By Robert A. Goodman, MSW
Wikipedia defines vanity as “the excessive pride in or admiration of one’s appearance”. Is vanity preventing you from ignoring your safety?
Falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death among older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control millions of older adults fall annually. Each year, 2.5 million seniors are treated in emergency rooms for fall injuries. One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury. This can lead to permanent disability.
Falls can be prevented by taking proper precautions in the home and when traveling. The chances of falling increases with a physical or visual disability.
Which is more important to you: your vanity or safety? As a geriatric social worker I am constantly meeting people who refuse to use a mobility device because “it won’t look nice” or “what will people think of me” or “I will look old”. These are the same people who tell me about falling off curbs, getting lost, running into objects, tripping, falling and breaking bones. There is a lot of stigma associated with the use of a hearing aid, cane, long white cane (for people with visual disabilities), walker or wheelchair. We are so afraid of what others think that we ignore things that will make our lives safer.
People with visual disabilities are in greater danger of falling due to loss of depth perception or loss of peripheral or central vision. These changes can cause an inability to see changes in surfaces (curbs, steps, etc) or obstacles in their path.
If you feel embarrassed to use a long white cane consider how you feel when you see others using a long white cane. You probably barely notice them or if you do, you may want to help. People with partial sight who use a white cane are safer walking in their community than if they did not use one. The American Foundation for the Blind reports that the majority of people with vision problems (including those who use a white cane) have some remaining useful vision.
Benefits of using a white cane

• Safely navigate your environment. The use of the white cane helps you detect changes in surfaces, curbs, obstacles (grass, cars, litter, etc).
• Feel less afraid and more confident when moving around your community
• Others (pedestrians, bus drivers, store clerks) will be quicker to assist when they see someone using a white cane
• The cane is a reminder to friends and family that you have a visual disability and may not see them approaching

An orientation and mobility specialist can instruct a person with a visual impairment on the proper use of the white cane.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins recently found that people with mild hearing loss were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. The study found that people who can’t hear well might not have sufficient awareness of their overall environment, making tripping and falling more likely. (www.hopkinsmedicine.org).
The wearing of hearing aids increases one’s quality of life. In spite of this fact, many people who are in need of hearing aids refuse to wear them for purely aesthetic reasons.

The benefits of hearing aids

• You will be able to hear sounds that you have not heard previously.
• You will be able to hear speech over the telephone more clearly.
• You will be able to communicate more easily with family and friends.
• Your ability to communicate may improve in noisy listening situations (e.g. a restaurant or in a large group of people). www.fda.gov/medicaldevices

People with balance, gait, or coordination problems who are not using a mobility device are at greater risk for falls. The thought of using a walking cane or walker by many older adults is an inconceivable idea. They associate the use of a cane or walker with someone who is old or frail. When used properly a cane or walker can improve one’s balance, ability to participate in activities and overall independence. Their proper use can prevent falls and injuries. The improper use of a mobility device can result in an injury. Mobility device users need to undergo training by a physical therapist on the correct use of their mobility device. (A good article on this topic can be found at www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0815/p405.html.)
So put aside your vanity and get a mobility device that will increase your independence, keep you safer, and less likely to fall.