‘This is your watch speaking. You’ve had a hard fall. Are you OK?’

It’s been a stormy week here on the East Coast. Trees are down, there’s coastal flooding, and the power’s been out. As I often do in these columns, I’ll tell you what this seemingly unrelated occurrence has to do with living with myelofibrosis (MF).

Four people I know recently “had falls.” Have you ever noticed that when we were younger, we simply fell? Now it’s described as “having had a fall.”

I live alone, so the news of people close to me having falls prompted me to think about how long I might lie on the floor before I could get to my phone if I were to fall. Losing power in a storm certainly exacerbated that potential scenario.

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Truthfully, I never wanted to get an Apple Watch or a similar device. I didn’t feel the need for more electronics in my life — something else that would need charging and reading and setting. But here I am now with that exact device on my wrist. It’s pretty cool, actually, like wearing your phone and all of its access without having to reach for it.

Here’s why I got it: It has an emergency alert that says, “Looks like you had a hard fall. Are you OK?” If you don’t answer, emergency responders are automatically notified. Call it a $300 insurance policy. Or, call it peace of mind. Whatever you call it, I felt it was a good investment in my physical and emotional health. (And, yes, I am on a fixed income and careful how I spend my children’s lack of an inheritance.)

Living with any chronic condition comes with increased risks of unexpected health events. When you are anemic, you might get dizzy when you stand or move too fast. Your medications might make you lightheaded. When serious fatigue is a part of your life, you are not always steady on your feet. If sleeplessness is routine, you might be weaker than you realize — at greater risk of losing your balance and falling.

All of these are good reasons to think about how you might get ahead of this, minimize the risks, and be aware of your steadiness. And, at the very least, consider having a tool in place in case of an emergency, such as a watch with a 911 feature.

Falls are not a minor complication as we age. They are a significant event that can set you back months or longer. And if you fall and have no immediate response mechanism in place, the results can be even more devastating.

I’m not a worrier, as I have said in this column before. But a part of not worrying is being wise enough to be aware of your surroundings and your risks.

Today, I am proudly wearing my Apple Watch. It doesn’t look like a medical ID or an alert bracelet. It doesn’t scream “I’m old enough to worry about having a fall.” It simply does the trick by offering peace of mind with the added benefits of texts, emails, and Wi-Fi at an even closer reach.

And there’s also a feature that can find my phone!

Note: Myelofibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myelofibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myelofibrosis.