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MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:03 PM Apr 6

This afternoon I fell in the livingroom

I don't know what happened, if I lost my balance or tripped on something or stepped on my untied shoelace or what, but the next thing I knew, I was sitting on the floor. My sandwich and pop went flying and after a few choice words, I just sat there thinking "well, I guess I'm sitting here now." I had a hard time getting back up because I broke my wrist the year before last and my left hand is basically useless and it's hard to get up with only one hand. I was thinking of that commercial "I've fallen and I can't get up!" I laugh about it now but I sure wasn't laughing then.

I'm not hurt at all. I'm just glad nobody was around to see it. Martini was miffed because i made a sandwich and I didn't give her any lunch meat. How could I? I couldn't even find it at first. That's how far away it flew!

64 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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This afternoon I fell in the livingroom (Original Post) MIButterfly Apr 6 OP
Oh, wow. Glad you're OK, MIButterfly! Diamond_Dog Apr 6 #1
Thank you, Diamond_Dog! MIButterfly Apr 6 #5
I couldn't get up when I fell... Had to call the fire dept. for assistance. No Vested Interest Apr 6 #24
You'd think Martini... 2naSalit Apr 6 #2
Thank you, 2naSalit! MIButterfly Apr 6 #6
And... 2naSalit Apr 6 #8
Glad you are ok! SheltieLover Apr 6 #3
Thank you, SheltieLover! MIButterfly Apr 6 #7
Hope you're OK! Ocelot II Apr 6 #4
Thank you, Ocelot II! MIButterfly Apr 6 #9
My late cat Milo would have trampled my supine body to get to the food. Ocelot II Apr 6 #11
Please take care malaise Apr 6 #10
Thank you, malaise! MIButterfly Apr 6 #12
MIButterfly, I'm guessing your dlilafae Apr 6 #13
Thank you, dlilafae! MIButterfly Apr 6 #14
MlButterfly. I am so glad you are okay. debm55 Apr 6 #15
Thank you, debm55! MIButterfly Apr 6 #16
My worst nightmare......so glad you're ok, shaken up I'm sure but at least ok. a kennedy Apr 6 #17
Thank you, a kennedy! MIButterfly Apr 6 #34
someone told me about fainting onethatcares Apr 6 #18
Make sure you are well-hydrated - water or other liquids. No Vested Interest Apr 6 #23
Thank you, No Vested Interest! MIButterfly Apr 6 #35
So sorry for your fall. It's such a shock when that happens. Sogo Apr 6 #19
Thank you, Sogo! MIButterfly Apr 6 #36
I was taking Chex Mix out of the oven... Tesha Apr 6 #20
eek!!! AllaN01Bear Apr 6 #21
Please be careful. OldBaldy1701E Apr 6 #22
Merci beaucoup, OldBaldy1701E! MIButterfly Apr 6 #37
Oh, I am so sorry, MIButterfly Grim Chieftain Apr 6 #25
Thank you, Grim Chieftain! MIButterfly Apr 6 #38
I don't know if it's the same where you live, but here you can call 911 and they will pick you up and if you don't go to 1WorldHope Apr 6 #26
Thank you, 1WorldHope! MIButterfly Apr 6 #39
Glad you weren't hurt. hamsterjill Apr 6 #27
How did you know? Apparently I was a bit premature in my celebrating! MIButterfly Apr 6 #40
We were ALL hoping to be able to celebrate. hamsterjill Apr 6 #47
You said it! MIButterfly Apr 6 #48
I'm glad you were not hurt. LoisB Apr 6 #28
Thank you, LoisB! MIButterfly Apr 6 #41
Sorry this happened to you and so glad you're okay, MIButterfly! HeartsCanHope Apr 6 #29
Thank you, HeartsCanHope! MIButterfly Apr 6 #42
Retired EMT here AverageOldGuy Apr 6 #30
Thank you for your advice, AverageOldGuy! MIButterfly Apr 6 #43
So thankful you weren't hurt! highplainsdem Apr 6 #31
Thank you, highplainsdem! MIButterfly Apr 6 #44
Glad you are okay and FemDemERA Apr 6 #32
Thank you, FemDemERA! MIButterfly Apr 6 #45
Glad you're okay, MIButterfly! Bayard Apr 6 #33
Thank you, Bayard! MIButterfly Apr 6 #46
I'm glad you're OK, MIButterly! LudwigPastorius Apr 7 #49
Thank you LudwigPastorius MIButterfly Apr 7 #50
Good one, luv it! appalachiablue Apr 7 #63
So glad you're okay. 🩷 sueh Apr 7 #51
Thank you, sueh! MIButterfly Apr 7 #52
Ears enid602 Apr 7 #53
Thank you, enid602! MIButterfly Apr 7 #56
The stories I could tell from when I fell dweller Apr 7 #54
I'm so glad you weren't seriously hurt, dweller! MIButterfly Apr 7 #57
I'm glad you're ok! There are helpful suggestions about how to try to prevent falls and handle appalachiablue Apr 7 #55
Thank you, appalachiablue! MIButterfly Apr 7 #58
Excellent, good going! From the responses many of us can relate. appalachiablue Apr 7 #62
Are you ok this morning? Marthe48 Apr 7 #59
Good morning, Marthe48! MIButterfly Apr 7 #60
I'm so sorry. area51 Apr 7 #61
Thank you, area51! MIButterfly Apr 7 #64

Diamond_Dog

(40,954 posts)
1. Oh, wow. Glad you're OK, MIButterfly!
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:06 PM
Apr 6

Why is it suddenly so hard to get up off the floor? Seems like it happens overnight!

MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
5. Thank you, Diamond_Dog!
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:16 PM
Apr 6

You're absolutely right about it being suddenly so hard to get up off the floor and it seems like it happened overnight. Another not-so-pleasant surprise in my so-called "golden years."

No Vested Interest

(5,300 posts)
24. I couldn't get up when I fell... Had to call the fire dept. for assistance.
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 06:49 PM
Apr 6

I now have someone in the home with me most waking hours, and next to me when getting up or sitting down in chairs.

2naSalit

(103,797 posts)
2. You'd think Martini...
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:06 PM
Apr 6

Could smell the lunch meat and go find it! That's what any cat I've ever lived with would do. Glad you're not hurt!

I hate it when I fall, freaks me out when I do.

MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
6. Thank you, 2naSalit!
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:18 PM
Apr 6

Martini didn't go looking for the lunch meat, she just sat on the couch waiting for me to come serve her like the goddess she is. Even when I fall, I am still her lowly servant.

MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
9. Thank you, Ocelot II!
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:24 PM
Apr 6

No, she didn't go get the lunch meat. She just sat on the couch waiting for me to come serve her. As far as she was concerned, falling was my problem, not hers. Why should she have to get up to go get the lunch meat herself? It's my job to serve it to her. I know my place in her world! LOL!

Ocelot II

(131,125 posts)
11. My late cat Milo would have trampled my supine body to get to the food.
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:32 PM
Apr 6

My current cats Chet and Dave, like yours, would have just sat and stared at me until I got up to feed them.

onethatcares

(17,007 posts)
18. someone told me about fainting
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 05:11 PM
Apr 6

and how often it happens as we age and it scares the beejesss out of me. I have not so nice thoughts about it happening at the top of the stairs.
I walk slow and hope it doesn't.

No Vested Interest

(5,300 posts)
23. Make sure you are well-hydrated - water or other liquids.
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 06:45 PM
Apr 6

I have to remind myself re water.
Had one fall (uninjured) & am still fearful lest another occur.

Sogo

(7,291 posts)
19. So sorry for your fall. It's such a shock when that happens.
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 05:18 PM
Apr 6

A friendly suggestion: There are countless videos on YouTube giving techniques for seniors of how to get up off the floor.

Your experience reminds me that I must start practicing it....

Tesha

(21,159 posts)
20. I was taking Chex Mix out of the oven...
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 05:43 PM
Apr 6

The tray started to tip… and at moment my socks started to slip…

I had one choice.


I sat down.
Tray down, very little lost.
And I laughed and laughed.

And then, after a bit, got back up… when I stopped laughing

Glad we bounce! Hahahahaah

Grim Chieftain

(1,976 posts)
25. Oh, I am so sorry, MIButterfly
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 06:49 PM
Apr 6

Very glad you weren't injured. Please take it easy for the next few days as you may be sore.



1WorldHope

(2,122 posts)
26. I don't know if it's the same where you live, but here you can call 911 and they will pick you up and if you don't go to
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 06:52 PM
Apr 6

the hospital then they don't charge you.
The floor probably tripped you. I'm glad nothing broke but your sandwich. 😊

hamsterjill

(17,722 posts)
27. Glad you weren't hurt.
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 06:55 PM
Apr 6

I fell once in my early thirties. I was coming into my office building from the parking garage (which I did five days a week!) and just bit it on the stairs. Ripped the skirt of my suit and had to go home and change. Bruised myself badly. But felt foolish more than anything.

Keeping a sense of humor is always the best! Glad you are okay.

Now, tell us the REAL story!!! LOL You were drinking champagne because you were hoping old Orange Tits had kicked the bucket, right?

MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
40. How did you know? Apparently I was a bit premature in my celebrating!
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 10:17 PM
Apr 6

🍾 🥂 🎊

LOL! Thanks for the laugh, hamsterjill!

hamsterjill

(17,722 posts)
47. We were ALL hoping to be able to celebrate.
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 11:22 PM
Apr 6

Unfortunately...

Have a great evening and take care of yourself! We all gotta hang in there so we are there to vote them all out!

HeartsCanHope

(1,744 posts)
29. Sorry this happened to you and so glad you're okay, MIButterfly!
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 06:59 PM
Apr 6

Hopefully tomorrow won't bring any aches and pains. Give Martini some loves from me!

AverageOldGuy

(4,119 posts)
30. Retired EMT here
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 07:03 PM
Apr 6

I'm 81, ran rescue as part of a volunteer rescue squad for 16 years, had to retire 4 years ago.

Fully 1 in 3 of our calls were for falls in the home.

When dealing with a fall, first thing EMT does is "Can you hear me? Talk to me. Where does it hurt?" This (1) makes certain you are conscious and alert; (2) Tells me where it hurts so I can look for injuries.

Next thing is: "Why did you fall?" Some patients don't like that question but it is critical.
-- If you tripped over the cat, that's one thing.
--If you don't remember falling, don't know why you fell, that could indicate someting cerebral going on and you need the ER and at least a CT scan.


Call 911 next time. EMTs would rather come pick you up and find you in good shape than be called by a neighbor who comes to see you, can't get you to answer the door, and we have to kick the door in and find you unconscious on the floor.

FemDemERA

(896 posts)
32. Glad you are okay and
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 07:30 PM
Apr 6

have no injury. Falling is no fun, and especially scary if you are alone when it happens

Bayard

(30,163 posts)
33. Glad you're okay, MIButterfly!
Mon Apr 6, 2026, 07:37 PM
Apr 6

When we reach a certain age, its always like Wiley Coyote getting kicked off the cliff by Roadrunner. You just don't see it coming.

I'm scheduled for an MRI next week. My hip is still boogered up from falling on the ice--twice--in January. It was terrible here, took forever to melt.

LudwigPastorius

(14,948 posts)
49. I'm glad you're OK, MIButterly!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 01:37 AM
Apr 7

Be careful.

I read that 78% of all accidents happen in the home.

...so I moved.

enid602

(9,744 posts)
53. Ears
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:00 AM
Apr 7

Pls, pls, pls get your ears checked when you get a chance. Ear infections can cause falls.

dweller

(28,631 posts)
54. The stories I could tell from when I fell
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:14 AM
Apr 7

The worst I lay on the floor face down and laughing in the carpet , face full of coffee and a crushed box of Kleenex under me . ..
Had my feet slip out from under me when I tripped over obstacles I’d placed in my way the day before .. damn me !
Once I just rolled over backwards from a squat position
and ended up laughing at my fool clumsiness .

So far no stitches or broken bones .
Bless our adventures into our twilight years
🙏



✌🏻

MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
57. I'm so glad you weren't seriously hurt, dweller!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 09:17 AM
Apr 7

I never expected this kind of thing in my so-called "golden years!"

appalachiablue

(44,171 posts)
55. I'm glad you're ok! There are helpful suggestions about how to try to prevent falls and handle
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 03:30 AM
Apr 7

falls in books for seniors and people who have health and mobility problems. They provide tips and helpful exercises that focus on balance, how to walk safely and do strength exercises. (Booklets are available on Amazon, etc).

On YouTube, I've seen some Video demonstrations on how to avoid and handle falls and how to get up from a fall by rolling, leveraging yourself on sturdy objects and more.

Make sure clutter and objects that you could trip on are out of the way, area rugs are secure and lighting is adequate. Kitchens and bathrooms with hard, slick, and sometimes wet surfaces are common problem areas. Careful.

Another suggestion is to have a sturdy chair or ottoman in the room to use to hold onto and pull yourself up with in case of a trip or fall. Steps can also be used to push up. Outside, a large, sturdy rock or outdoor furniture pieces can be helpful.

Take care, and thanks for posting!


MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
58. Thank you, appalachiablue!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 09:21 AM
Apr 7

As a matter of fact, I did happen to have a kitchen chair in the livingroom (!) and I used it to pull myself up.



appalachiablue

(44,171 posts)
62. Excellent, good going! From the responses many of us can relate.
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 03:08 PM
Apr 7

So happy you're ok! Good you had that kitchen chair for help too.

Years ago I fell down a hilly driveway at a newly built home when taking out a very large, heavy trash can on wheels to the curb for pickup.

I didn't realize workers had filled it so much with materials. The bin took off suddenly, I landed in the street with a broken pelvis. But the incident was more a hassle than painful and I healed up well.
------
You may know about Sarcopenia muscle loss, a factor for many elders. I only learned about it a few years ago. Yuck.

It's hell getting old as my dad used to say, but the price we pay for living so long. Take care.
------
(NIH). Sarcopenia, a condition related to aging, is characterized by decreased muscle mass and strength, which significantly affects physical function...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11912661/

MIButterfly

(3,079 posts)
60. Good morning, Marthe48!
Tue Apr 7, 2026, 10:05 AM
Apr 7

My tailbone is a little sore but otherwise I am feeling okay. Thank you so much for asking! Have a great day.

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