Fall Prevention Week features community events

While falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injury for those 65 years of age and older, they are not an inevitable part of aging. That’s why The Maine Highlands Senior Center and Thriving in Place Coalition are joining forces with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free Initiative to celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Day on Sept. 22 and Falls Prevention week Sept 19-25.

This year’s Fall Prevention theme “Ready, Steady, Balance: Prevent Falls in 2016” seeks to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults. Come find out how a combination of simple behavior changes can significantly reduce falls among older adults.

This is important because in Maine fall related injuries are the No. 1 cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations and the fourth leading cause of death. At Mayo Regional Hospital alone in 2014 there were 277 ER admissions for fall-related injuries with over half occurring in people over age 65 and almost a quarter occurring in people over 80. Many of these falls resulted in injuries, surgery and subsequent loss of independence and mobility. It is estimated that three to four times as many people fall and do not report it.

The goal is to reduce falls and injuries that prevent older adults from remaining in their homes and thriving. All medical practitioners should be screening for falls in their older patients. People need to learn that no fall is a normal part of aging, so if an older person begins having falls it is time for action before an injury occurs. Fall-proofing the home, getting balance and exercise training, vision screening and review of medications is important to prevent life-changing falls.

There will be free fall risk screening events in area communities including medication review, vision screen and balance and gait screening. Bring all medications so the pharmacist can review these. All participants will enter into a raffle for local gift card. Screenings are at the following locations:

Monday, Sept 19 Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church 1-3 p.m.;

Wednesday, Sept. 21 Guilford at Friends of Community Fitness 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.;

Thursday, Sept. 22 Dexter at Reddy Health Center 2-4 p.m.;

Friday, Sept 23 Milo Town Hall 10 a.m.-noon;

Saturday, Sept 24 from 10 a.m.-noon there will be a bike rodeo at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA with free bike helmets for first 25 second-graders. Please call 564-7111 for more information. Also on Sept. 24 from 2-4 p.m. will be “Falling Monologues”, a dramatic look at fall prevention with a humorous twist, at the Center Theatre with free admission or by donation.

There is also a community sponsored contra dance at the Monson Finnish Farmer’s Club Sept 24 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. — come have fun as dancing is great for balance.

For more information, please call 992-6822 or write lmfernow@rcn.com.