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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S FALLS PREVENTION RESOURCE TO HELP KEEP YOU SAFE AND INDEPENDENT Community Service Program of Seniors Council of Santa Cruz & San Benito Counties (831) 688-0400 or fallsprevention@seniorscouncil.org Easy ways to help maintain your indepenendence By Seniors Council We have used this space over the past several months to expand on falls prevention and falls risk mitigation strategies to maintain independence, and this month we'll explore two more often overlooked and frequent- ly unaddressed areas of falls concern. The first of these is low vision - - and in particular, uncorrected or inadequately corrected vision. The second is the use of any number of pre- scribed medications which can result in an increased risk for falls for a number of different reasons. Falls related to or re- sulting from low vision can often be prevented by taking certain precautions. Some of these precautions have been discussed earlier in this space and are related to areas of one's home and surroundings. Enhanced or improved lighting makes a real difference when an individual's vision has diminished. Be open to the idea of timers, or even better, sensor lights which don't have to be reset for Daylight Savings Time, which come on automati- cally in the evening when natural light begins to fade. Reflective tape on stairs provides surface contrast for those with low vision. And, removing obstacles, securing rugs, and clearing walking paths through the home are also excellent preventative measures, especially for those living with low vision. The overlooked and unad- dressed part of low vision, however, is managing and correcting one's vision. This is particularly the case with many older adults who may not be getting annual eye exams. Original Medi- care, Part A and Part B, offers only limited vision coverage, and most routine eye care is not covered. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits though, which can include routine vision care. By the time many individ- uals finally address their low vision, their corrective lenses prescription may have changed dramatically, a situation that can lead to visual distortion, impaired distance awareness, and dizziness - - any one of which increases an individ- ual's risk for falls, espe- cially since older adults can find it challenging to adapt to their new glasses. Professionals recommend getting a dilated eye exam at least once a year to reduce the risk of irrevers- ible vision loss and update glasses as needed. The second causal area of increased falls risk which frequently goes unrecog- nized or unaddressed is the use and effects of a variety of very important and very necessary prescription medications. Many older adults are prescribed just the sort of medications that have been shown to varying degrees to increase the risk of falls. Generally, these medications are one or another of the following types: • Medications that affect the brain. They include medications used to treat insomnia, anxiety, psycho- ses, depression, bi-polar disorder, seizures, convul- sions, pain, and nerve pain to name several. Many tend to cause some seda- tion or drowsiness. • Medications that affect blood pressure. These medications are typical- ly prescribed to address hypertension, but there are also other classes and types of medications which lower blood pressure or increase postural blood pressure changes in many older adults. Many geria- tricians and other experts recommend re-evaluating blood pressure medica- tions in older adults at high risk for falls. • Medications that lower blood sugar. Many older adults with diabetes take medications to keep their blood sugar from getting too high. Most diabetes medications can cause or worsen hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar), possibly resulting in weakness, lightheaded- ness, and dizziness which increase the likelihood of falls. The specific classes of medications and the various brand names and prescribed uses are too numerous to list here, but one's concerns about medications they are taking, or about side effects such as weakness or dizziness, should be promptly directed to their doctor or pharma- cist. Never, under any circumstance, should one suspend the use of a pre- scribed medication without first consulting their doctor or following specific phar- macological cautions and recommendations provided with the prescription. Seniors Council Fall Prevention Program staff are interested in helping people maintain their inde- pendence and ability to do what they love to do for as long as possible. We know that helping to prevent falls is one of the single best and most important things that we can do to help achieve this result. Addressing low vision by getting an eye exam and updated corrective lenses, as well as reviewing and asking about dosage levels and possible alternatives to any medication causing weakness, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness are two things everyone should do to maintain their indepen- dence and help ensure that they can continue to pursue and enjoy the activities most important to them. Is Your Financial Safety Net A Credit Line From A Bank? By Donald Dimitruk RFC ® RMA The revolving credit line, which typically lets users borrow $3,000 to $100,000, were pitched to their banking customers as way to consolidate high- er-interest credit card debt, pay for home renovations and avoid overdraft fees on linked checking accounts. Wells Fargo is ending a popular consumer lending product, angering some of its customers. The bank is shutting down all existing personal lines of credit in the coming weeks and has stopped offering the prod- uct, according to customer letters reviewed by CNBC. Last year they stopped all Home Equity Lines of Credit. "Wells Fargo recently reviewed its product offerings and decided to discontinue offering new Personal and Portfolio line of credit accounts and close all existing accounts," the bank said in a six-page letter. "We realize change can be inconvenient, especially when customers credit may be impacted", the bank said, adding that it was "committed to helping each customer find a credit solution that meets their needs." Customers have been given a 60- day notice that their accounts will be shuttered. Don't let this happen to you! A Home Equity Conver- sion Mortgage can never be frozen, canceled or reduced and in fact is the only credit line that actu- ally GROWS over time! A HECM, commonly called a Reverse Mortgage, is a true Safety Net for your retirement plan and comes with the added benefit of No Payments For Life! Qualification is easy and many times social security payments are enough. Minimum age for the program is 62 and the older you are, the higher the loan amount. The "Jumbo" program only has an age requirement of 60 and loan amounts to $4 million. By far, the greatest benefit of a Reverse Mortgage is the security of knowing that once you acquire one, it will be in place for the rest of your life or as long as you own that property and available for refinance or purchase. Financially speaking it is True Peace Of Mind. And you can't get that from the bank! Donald Dimitruk is a Registered Financial Con- sultant ® and a Registered Mortgage Advisor and is available for a FREE consultation about how a Reverse Mortgage may benefit you at 831-464- 6464

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