Episode Summary
Falls don’t just break bones; they reverberate into families, confidence, and independence. In this wrap-up to the Gravity Never Sleeps series, I sit down with my long-time friend and client Lisa Fleischer, former owner of Senior Helpers, to explore an often-unseen side of falls: the aftershocks that caregivers and families endure.
Lisa brings more than a decade of experience supporting older adults and their families through everything from simple grocery trips to end-of-life care. Together, we unpack caregiving, community resources, and misconceptions that can either hold families back or empower them to extend independence.
This conversation is more than caregiving; it’s about reshaping what resilience really means.
If you missed the latest article in this series, you can catch up at www.agingwellfirefighter.com
Key Topics Covered
Why falls are about much more than accidents, and the ongoing ripple effects in family dynamics, confidence, and independence.
The role of in-home services like Senior Helpers, ADRCs, and Meals on Wheels in supporting independence - not taking it away.
How caregivers can navigate denial and hidden falls, and the subtle clues that a loved one may have fallen without telling anyone.
Hospice and palliative care, and the misconceptions that keep families from seeking help earlier.
How to rebuild confidence and balance after a fall, and why prevention is more powerful when it’s proactive.
The importance of caregiver resilience in the larger ecosystem of falls prevention and healthy aging.
Memorable Quotes
“The hardest part isn’t always the fall itself. It’s what comes after — the loss of confidence, the stubborn pride, the burnout of caregivers.”
“Most people see any sort of help as a weakness. And it’s not. Leaning on others can help you stay independent longer.” — Lisa Fleischer
“Falls prevention is never just about rugs and railings — it’s about a whole ecosystem of resilience, and caregivers are right in the middle of it.”
“Hospice isn’t just end-of-life care. People can actually graduate from hospice when it helps them stabilize and improve.” — Lisa Fleischer
“Gravity never sleeps, but neither does human courage, confidence, or resilience.”
Call to Action
If this episode challenged the way you think about caregiving and falls, share it with a family member, caregiver, or friend. The conversation you start today could prevent a fall tomorrow.
Do you have a story about resilience, caregiving, or falls prevention? I’d love to hear from you, and maybe even share your story on a future episode. Reach out using the links below.
Connect with Roy Smalley
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All links in one place: www.roysmalley.us
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Make sure you don’t miss future episodes — including the teaser for my next series on the “invisible falls” we all experience. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and follow me on social media for updates, resources, and conversations that help us all fight wisely and age bravely.
