A fall can be the worst thing to ever happen to you. It must not be allowed to happen. Many reading this have already tuned out, "I survived many falls, it wont happen to me, what is he on about .
I have known so many people who have fallen and broken a hip and my brother died from a fall. Humans are the only animal that can die by falling from a standing position. please think about that.
Parkinsons is bad enough without pileing on other health problems and for many a broken hip is inoperable and a life sentence of pain and immobility. Many can not even use a wheelchair afterwards .
If you have received warnings : lightheaded, dizzyness , falls of any kind, moments of lost awareness and you have PD than it is time to change your attitude and get serious, NO REALLY SERIOUSLY .
Vanity. I will look like a old codger with a wheeled walker. I am not ready yet. Buy one , (government assistance is available) Take it everywhere you go . When you get tired , sit on it. If there is a place you go that you can not take your walker then do not go there. A hiking trail through the forest is a wonderful thing but it can also be really stupid and regretful.
Install very secure hand holds every where in your house, garage and yard especially door ways and steps . Install rubber tiles on concrete floors like in your garage and handrail on stairs and steps and cushion floor tiles and carpet with underlay. Throw away all the loose mats and put rubber mats with suction cups in showers. Install lighting in dark corners and have your house inspected by a professional.
PwP say that even with the wheeled walker they still fall so get one that is wider and folds in the middle so you can get it in to the car and through narrow doors and situations. If you tend to fall over backwards get one that has wheels behind you. (they exist )
One women wrote that she falls so often now that she always wears knee pads and wrist pads and when she thinks she might fall she purposely drops to her knees. Others are wearing helmets and some will only walk with someone very close who can catch them .
I dont mean to preach but so many people are suffering and wishing and it will not help them now. They think that they are helpless and a burden on their family.
The saddest words in the English language "What might have been"
stay active, stay alive, be happy , to hell with how we look. People will start holding doors open for you .
People can be so stubborn, sad really. Did I make my point clear enough.