Falls Prevention Awareness Day is September 22nd
As seniors, we often hear about health issues that impact us at high rates, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, did you know that falls are actually the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans? This often-overlooked epidemic deserves more attention, and that is why we are discussing falls prevention on this week’s blog post.Falls Prevention Awareness Day, being held on September 22nd, is an annual event that encourages all Americans to learn the facts about falls and educate themselves on how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults. The National Council on Aging, or NCOA, has an abundance of resources available on the danger of falls, as well as information about precautionary measures everyone can take to prevent falls from occurring.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also a valuable partner in this effort. The CDC has a wonderful program called STEADI, or Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries, which works to provide materials for health care providers and caregivers regarding the dangers of falls. Many of the tools available on their website are geared toward healthcare professionals, but there is also a wide selection of materials for us, as aging Americans, to explore and share with family and friends in order to increase awareness of the danger of falls.Small measures, such as keeping an open dialogue with your health care providers, engaging in regular exercise to improve balance and physical fitness, and making sure your glasses or contact lenses are in good shape if you use them, are all part of a successful fall-prevention plan.Additionally, one of the more overlooked aspects of preventing falls is keeping your home environment safe and being proactive about fall-prevention techniques with friends and family. The CDC recommends keeping your floors clutter free, removing or securing small rugs to the floor, adding safety bars or handles to bathrooms, keeping handrails sturdy on staircases, and making sure your home has plenty of light to make sure you can see where you are going.We often discuss the importance of creating and maintaining relationships with friends and peers at any age. A great way to get involved in your community, make some new friends, and take care of your health is by participating in an Evidence-based Falls Prevention Program in your area. The NCOA has some great ideas for ways to get involved not only on Falls Prevention Day, but year-round.We would love to hear from you about how you plan on celebrating this important day! Share your plans with us on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and make sure to get (and stay) involved in your communities on behalf of this vital cause.