Veteran S'pore actress Jin Yinji, 78, reveals she fell backwards on stairs at home & got hospitalised

Local veteran actress Jin Yinji, 78, revealed that she was hospitalised after suffering a fall at home about a month ago.

Fell on the stairs

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Jin shared the accident happened as she was carrying some heavy items up the stairs in her house.

She had planned to place the items on the third flight of steps, but as she stood up, she suddenly lost her footing and fell backwards.

She failed to grab the handrail in time, causing her to fall onto the ground and she was later unable to get up on her own.

Recalling the frightening moment, Jin shared that she kept asking herself, “How could this happen?"

"I wasn’t anaemic and I didn’t feel dizzy. I never imagined I would experience something like this," she said. "It was terrifying. Even now, I still don't know why I fell."

Fortunately, the family's domestic worker rushed to her aid and called an ambulance to take Jin to the hospital.

An X-ray later confirmed that she had not suffered any fractures, but had injured the muscles in her waist and back.

After resting and taking medication, Jin said she was able to get out of bed and walk, and was discharged the same day.

Doctors advised her to recuperate at home and to avoid lifting heavy objects.

"Moving my waist hurt so much that I cried"

However, Jin shared with Shin Min that she felt excruciating pain when she subsequently got up in the middle of the night.

"Every time I tried to stand up or lie down, moving my waist hurt so much that I cried," she said.

She had to hold onto the mattress and get up slowly as a result.

When the pain became unbearable, she relied on pain medication and also wore a back brace to limit muscle movement.

After a month of physical therapy and rest, Jin’s condition has improved significantly.

She shared that she had chosen not to disclose her injury earlier to avoid worrying her friends in the entertainment industry.

Even now, Jin said she becomes emotional when speaking about the experience.

"At the time, I kept thinking about negative possibilities. What if my condition didn’t get better?" she said. "But I kept telling myself that I couldn’t give up. I had to be a strong Jin Yinji."

Reflecting on the incident, Jin also admitted that age has caught up with her.

"I'm really getting old, almost 80. I'm not as capable as I used to be, so I have to be extra careful now."

She reminded seniors to slow down, avoid carrying heavy items, and to always hold onto the handrails when using the stairs.

When getting out of bed, they should also sit for a while before standing up, she said.

She also added that they should stay active in order to prevent muscle atrophy.

Recognised by a doctor

Jin also shared a lighthearted moment from her visit to the hospital: despite wearing a mask, she was recognised by a young doctor, who later took a photo with her.

"I asked him, ‘You’re so young and busy — how do you even have time to watch my shows?’" she recalled. "He told me his whole family loves me and that he was going to show the photo to his mother and wife when he got home."

With Chinese New Year approaching, Jin said she will be taking it easy this time round: she will be doing less cooking and will also not be making any dumplings.

Still, she looks forward to celebrating the festive season with visits from her close celebrity friends.

She also shared her hopes for good health and happiness in the Year of the Horse, and cheekily wished all Singaporeans "immediate prosperity".

Top photos from Shin Min Daily News