For about a week, 78-year-old James Collier had been feeling weak and was dizzy when he sat up. Then on his way outside to water his garden Mr. Collier took a nasty fall down his front steps putting his hand out to break his fall. His only other fall was six months before when he tripped over the throw rug in his kitchen.

Mr. Collier isn't sure why he fell but says he doesn't notice things the way he used to. He's worried that if he is so accident prone he won't be able to take care of his home.

He has osteoarthritis of his knees for which he takes ibuprofen. He is functionally independent and rarely drinks alcohol.

Copyright 1999 by the GEC