March_2022_Villager Mar 2022 | Page 16

By CHRISTINA LENT

As people grow older , the consequences of a fall grow more serious . Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury deaths for adults ages 65 and older , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

They are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries and account for more than 95 % of hip fractures . In addition , fractures from falls are a leading cause of disability and often result in needing to enter a nursing home .

As of Nov . 30 , Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue crews had been dispatched to 6,465 reports of falls in 2021 . That ’ s the equivalent of 19 falls a day .

Ground-level falls are one of the most concerning types of medical calls TVF & R firefighters and paramedics respond to because we know many aging adults struggle to recover from them .

Most falls happen in the home and can be avoided . Factors such as poor lighting , narrow stairs and slippery surfaces can increase the chances of a fall . In addition , problems with glare , depth-perception , tiredness or dizziness from prescription medications contribute to falls .

Research conducted by Yale University showed that older adults are also most at risk of falling when

they fail to use handrails on stairs , reach for objects overhead and climb on chairs or ladders .

TVF & R reminds seniors and children of older adults to take the following precautions to help prevent a fall injury .

Take care of yourself

� Get regular medical check-ups and talk to your doctor to ensure appropriate levels and types of medication .

� Have your vision checked and replace eyeglasses as needed .

� Schedule your regular hearing checks .

� Have your healthcare provider also check your feet to ensure you can walk comfortably .

� Exercise regularly and eat nutritious meals to fuel your body .

� Consider exercise programs such as yoga , tai chi , walking , and swimming , which improve stability , strength and balance .

Remove existing hazards

� Fasten throw rugs to the floor with double-backed tape to keep them from slipping or remove them all together .

� Keep cords out of pathways and clean up spills as soon as they happen .

� Arrange furniture to minimize obstructions , and clear clutter from your living areas . � Fix loose or uneven steps � Make sure your carpet is firmly attached to every step or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs .

� In the kitchen , keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool .

By DON MASON

Welcome to spring and the official start of the Charbonneau Men ’ s Club 2022 golf season ! We will kickoff our new season

MASON Wednesday , March 16 with a “ New

member welcome ” coffee followed by nine holes of golf .

Regular Men ’ s Club play will begin Saturday , March 26 with a Four Man Team game . The Men ’ s Club website has all the details you need for each week ’ s Wednesday and Saturday games and it is also the location where the results are posted . The Men ’ s Club website can be found at “ MCcharbonneau . com ” — just think “ Men ’ s Club Charbonneau .” Just click on the red GOLF tab at the top of the main page to access the 18-HOLE CALENDAR which describes each game and the 18-HOLE RESULTS which shows the results of each game ’ s play . Normally the results are posted later the same day or the next day following play .

Tee Off Breakfast

Our Men ’ s Club Golf season “ Tee Off Breakfast ” for all members is scheduled for 7 a . m . Saturday , April 2 . There is no additional charge for this breakfast as it is included in your annual membership dues , but you do

need to sign-up at the Pro Shop to play in the game . Following breakfast , we will play a four-man team golf scramble to kick off the season which allows all members , 18 or 9 hole players , to play . Even if you can ’ t play golf that day , members are encouraged to come to the breakfast and participate in the program .

What are the most difficult holes for the Men ’ s Club ?

Bill Moir , our local Golf Genius “ guru ” and head of the Men ’ s Club Scoring Committee , has access to a variety of statistical data for Charbonneau play . Based on the 752 rounds reported hole-by-hole in Men ’ s Club play from last year on Green / Yellow , the following appear to be the toughest holes for our golfers .

Par 4 : Green 9 , our “ Signature ” hole , and Yellow 8 , both of which are relatively long holes

Par 3 : Green 7 and Yellow 5 , both water holes

Rule of the month : Pace of play

With the golf season just around the corner , it ’ s time to remind everyone of some of the key ways you can help with “ pace of play :”

1 . If you are ready and it ’ s clear , play on . You do not need to ask “ who ’ s away ;” just go ahead and hit your ball .

2 . Waiting ? Take as many practice swings / strokes as you want . Your turn — you get one .

3 . Hit your ball first and then help others search .

4 . Jokes and stories are best told after teeing off , not before . Otherwise , you are interrupting another player ’ s preparation .

Have a great golf season !

Call Nathan today ! 503 / 789-9881

Tree & Shrub Pruning & Removals Spraying & Deep-Root Fertilization Stump Grinding & More ...

www . goodnewstree . com

State of Oregon CCB # 194072

“ Single Source Electrical Solutions ” 17937 SW McEwan RD Ste 200A Tualatin , OR

E-mail : office @ protechpdx . com www . pro-tech-power . com

• Panel Changes • Hot tubs

• Remodels • Generators

• Lighting Additions

Merged with Lighthouse Electric and continuing with their same great service .

503-582-9600