Please read this entire disclaimer before using this Site, downloading any materials, or reading the book. Your use of the Site and the book constitutes your acceptance of the terms below.
1. Educational information only — not medical advice
The content provided on this website (gertiegetsupright.com, the "Site"), in the book Gertie's Guide to Not Eating Linoleum (the "Book"), and in any related printables, downloads, emails, or social media (collectively, the "Content") is provided for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.
The Content is NOT:
- Medical advice
- Physical therapy advice or treatment
- Occupational therapy advice or treatment
- Nursing advice
- A diagnosis, evaluation, treatment plan, or prescription
- A substitute for examination, assessment, or care by a qualified, licensed healthcare professional
- Personalized to your specific medical history, conditions, medications, fitness level, or physical abilities
The Content has not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition.
2. No professional or therapeutic relationship
Accessing this Site, reading the Book, downloading printables, subscribing to emails, viewing social media content, or otherwise interacting with the Content does not create:
- A physical therapist-patient relationship
- A physician-patient relationship
- An occupational therapist-patient relationship
- A nurse-patient relationship
- Any other professional, fiduciary, or therapeutic relationship
A professional therapeutic relationship requires both parties to consent expressly or impliedly to that relationship, and requires in-person or telehealth examination, evaluation, and ongoing professional engagement. None of those elements are present here.
3. About the author and the content
The Book is published by Gertie Press under the pen name "Ima Stumblemore." The Content is grounded in widely accepted, publicly available fall-prevention principles, including those described by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's STEADI initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries), the American Geriatrics Society/British Geriatrics Society Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention of Falls in Older Persons, and the broader physical therapy and geriatric care literature.
The Content is presented as a general, plain-language summary of those principles for adult readers. It is not:
- An evaluation, recommendation, or care plan for any specific reader or user
- A clinical assessment of fall risk for any individual
- A substitute for the personalized assessment that any qualified clinician can perform for you
References to specific principles, exercises, or recommendations reflect general categories of guidance commonly found in fall-prevention literature, not personalized prescriptions.
4. Always consult your own healthcare providers
Before beginning any new exercise, balance practice, stretching routine, home modification, or change to your use of assistive devices, medications, or supplements, you should:
- Consult your own physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider
- Disclose your full medical history, medications, and current symptoms to that provider
- Obtain personalized professional guidance about whether and how to apply any general information you have read
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this Site or in the Book
Consultation with a qualified healthcare provider is especially important if you have any of the following:
- Osteoporosis, osteopenia, or a history of fractures or fragile bones
- A recent hip, knee, spine, shoulder, or other surgery, or any recent injury
- Dizziness, vertigo, frequent falls, or any vestibular or balance disorder
- Heart disease, high or low blood pressure, or any cardiovascular condition
- Lung disease, asthma, or shortness of breath with exertion
- Diabetes or blood-sugar instability
- Neurological conditions (Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, stroke history, peripheral neuropathy)
- Cognitive impairment, dementia, or any condition affecting memory, judgment, or decision-making
- Visual or hearing impairment
- Pregnancy, recent pregnancy, or pelvic floor concerns
- Any acute illness or active infection
- Any other condition affecting your strength, mobility, coordination, sensation, or balance
5. About the exercises and movement guidance
Any exercises, stretches, balance practices, or movement suggestions described in the Content have been chosen as generally appropriate examples for the broad category of healthy older adults seeking fall-prevention information. They have not been:
- Evaluated for your specific body, conditions, medications, or fitness level
- Prescribed for you
- Demonstrated to you in person with form correction
- Modified for your individual abilities or limitations
Before performing any exercise or movement described in the Content:
- Confirm with your healthcare provider that it is appropriate for you
- Ask your physical or occupational therapist to demonstrate proper form and modifications if helpful
- Start slowly and at a low intensity
- Stop immediately if you experience pain, dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath beyond mild exertion, joint instability, or any symptom that concerns you
- Have a stable surface, chair, or partner nearby for support when practicing balance exercises
Sharp pain, sudden dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath are warning signs to stop and seek medical attention — not signs of progress.
6. About home safety recommendations
Home safety suggestions in the Content (such as removing throw rugs, improving lighting, securing handrails, or adding grab bars) are general examples drawn from commonly recommended fall-prevention practices. They are not a substitute for a professional home safety assessment.
For a personalized home safety evaluation, consider engaging:
- A licensed occupational therapist (home safety evaluations are often covered by Medicare and many insurance plans)
- A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
- Your local Area Agency on Aging or comparable public agency
- A licensed contractor for any structural changes (grab bar installation, stair modifications, ramps, etc.)
Improperly installed grab bars, ramps, or other modifications can create new fall hazards. Follow manufacturer instructions, applicable building codes, and professional guidance.
7. About products, devices, and recommendations
Any products, brands, or types of assistive devices mentioned or linked from the Content (including but not limited to canes, walkers, rollators, grab bars, shower chairs, transfer benches, night lights, non-slip footwear, reachers, hip protectors, and personal emergency response systems) are general examples, not personalized medical recommendations.
Selection, fitting, and safe use of mobility aids and assistive devices is properly performed under the guidance of a licensed physical or occupational therapist, who can:
- Assess your specific needs, abilities, and home environment
- Recommend the appropriate type, size, and configuration of device
- Adjust the device for proper fit (height, grip, brake tension, etc.)
- Train you in safe use, transfers, and fall recovery
Using the wrong device, or the right device incorrectly fitted, can increase fall risk rather than reduce it.
8. Emergencies
In a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately. If you have fallen and cannot get up safely, are injured, are experiencing chest pain, severe dizziness, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, or any other emergency symptom, do not rely on this Site or any of our Content for guidance. Call for emergency assistance.
This Site is not monitored in real time. We cannot respond to emergencies. The Content is not a substitute for emergency medical services, urgent care, telehealth services, or contact with your own healthcare provider.
9. Individual results vary
Fall risk and fall prevention are highly individual. Many factors — age, medications, vision, strength, balance, cognition, environment, footwear, hydration, and others — interact in ways that no general resource can address. Following any general guidance in the Content does not guarantee that you will not fall, will not be injured, will improve your balance, or will achieve any specific outcome.
Testimonials, anecdotes, or stories included in the Content reflect the experience of specific individuals and are not promises or representations of typical results.
10. External links and third-party content
The Site and Content may link to external websites, products, services, or resources. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, accuracy, safety, or current medical validity of any third-party site or product. The presence of a link or reference is not an endorsement. You access third-party content at your own risk and subject to the third party's own terms.
11. No warranty
All Content is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE," without warranty of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and freedom from error.
Medical knowledge and best practices evolve. Information that was accurate when published may be outdated by the time you access it. We do not undertake any obligation to update the Content.
12. Assumption of risk
You acknowledge and agree that any decision to use the Content, perform any exercise or activity described in the Content, modify your home, purchase or use any product mentioned in the Content, or otherwise act on anything you have read is entirely your own decision, taken at your own risk.
Physical activity — including exercise, stretching, balance practice, and ordinary movement — carries inherent risks including but not limited to muscle strain, joint injury, falls, fractures, cardiovascular events, and in rare cases serious injury or death. By choosing to engage in any activity described in the Content, you voluntarily assume these risks.
13. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:
Gertie Press, the author (writing under the pen name "Ima Stumblemore"), the illustrators, contributors, contractors, service providers, and affiliates (collectively, the "Released Parties") shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including without limitation damages for personal injury, illness, death, property damage, loss of profits, loss of data, or any other damages, arising out of or related to:
- Your access to, use of, or inability to access or use the Site, Book, or Content
- Any reliance you place on the Content
- Any action or inaction you take based on the Content
- Any exercise, activity, home modification, or product purchase undertaken in connection with the Content
- Any errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or outdated information in the Content
- Any third-party content, product, or service referenced or linked
This limitation applies whether the claim is based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or any other theory, even if the Released Parties have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
In jurisdictions that do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, liability is limited to the smallest amount permitted by law.
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To the fullest extent permitted by law, you hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Released Parties from and for any liability, claim, demand, action, or cause of action arising out of any injury, loss, damage, or expense — whether known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated — sustained by you or your family as a result of your use of the Content.
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You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to: (a) your use of the Content; (b) your violation of this Disclaimer; (c) your violation of any rights of another person; or (d) any harm caused by your reliance on the Content.
16. Your acknowledgment
By using this Site, downloading materials, subscribing to emails, or reading the Book, you acknowledge that you have:
- Read this entire Disclaimer
- Understood its terms
- Had the opportunity to consult an attorney if desired
- Voluntarily accepted these terms as a condition of using the Content
If you do not agree to this Disclaimer in full, please do not use the Site, download our materials, or read the Book.
17. Governing law and dispute resolution
This Disclaimer is governed by the laws of the State of Arizona, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Disclaimer or your use of the Content shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Arizona, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.
18. Severability
If any provision of this Disclaimer is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
19. Updates to this Disclaimer
We may update this Disclaimer at any time. The current version, with its "Last updated" date, governs your use of the Content. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
20. Questions
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