MAR 15, 25.. SAFELY DESCENDING STAIRS..

This past week, Patti and I had two very routine medical appointments with our Primary Care Doctor here in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

No big deal.

Our Doctor's office is located on the second floor of a two story Medical Building.

As you can see on the left side of the above photo, there is an elevator up to the second floor.

Yes indeed, there are also stairs leading up to the second floor.

The next two photos below, both look down upon the above first flight of 17 stairs.

At the head of the stairs is a pleasant, 5 stair, landing.

What's the point Captain? 

If one was to fall forward, while progressing down the above stairs, death could be one result. If not death from hitting one's head, then possible severe and serious injuries could result.

So? Patti and myself and most elderly patients "take the elevator".

Very good Captain! Let's call that decision a "No Brainer"!

The day before our Wednesday appointment we were advised both by text message and over the telephone voice mail messages that the elevator was inoperable and out of order for one week.

We were also advised that we could cancel and re-schedule our medical appointments.  

On Tuesday, the day before our appointment, I went over to the building and studied the situation. 

I saw other elderly senior citizens with wheel chairs and walkers etc successfully negotiating the steps with assistance from friends and others. Mothers with babies carrying them up in baby baskets.

Finally! Do you all realize that if you cancel a medical appointment, it might take several months to get a new appointment!

And? The stairs looked very friendly to me!

Oh Captain what on earth are "friendly stairs"? 

Our friendly stairs have a very short "rise" of five - 1/2 inches and there is a very nice "landing" to rest upon.

So I told the reception desk that Patti and I would keep our Wednesday appointment.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

Wednesday our two appointments went just fine. Patti had absolutely no problem going up the stairs.

However, during our appointments, both Patti and I had our canes with us and both Patti and I have a medical "history of falls".

Guess what? Our Nurse Practitioner said to us, "I will go with you down the stairs and show you the safest way to proceed down the stairs.

Here we go. Both hands are free. You face the handrail. 

Facing the handrail, you grasp the handrail with both hands and you carefully step down with with one foot moving sidewise.

Then you move your other foot down.

Nice and safe with NO DRAMA such as falling down the stairs to a painful death or serious injuries.

Neither Patti nor myself had ever seen nor heard of the above technique. 

Nice advice here on "The Ides of March!"

Best Wishes as you navigate stairs.

Cap and Patti