{"id":942,"date":"2018-09-10T11:53:34","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T11:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.flnavigator.com\/health\/?p=942"},"modified":"2020-10-03T01:34:53","modified_gmt":"2020-10-03T01:34:53","slug":"will-your-vanity-be-your-downfall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/2018\/09\/disability\/will-your-vanity-be-your-downfall\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Your Vanity Be Your Downfall?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Will Your Vanity Be Your Downfall?<\/span><\/span>
\nBy Robert A. Goodman, MSW<\/span><\/span>
\nWikipedia defines vanity as \u201cthe excessive pride in or admiration of one\u2019s appearance\u201d. Is vanity preventing you from ignoring your safety? <\/span><\/span>
\nFalls 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.<\/span><\/span>
\n 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. <\/span><\/span>
\n 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 \u201cit won\u2019t look nice\u201d or \u201cwhat will people think of me\u201d or \u201cI will look old\u201d. 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.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n 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 <\/span><\/span>see changes in surfaces (curbs, steps, etc) or obstacles in their path.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nIf 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. <\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nBenefits of using a white cane<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n