Tuesdays, starting Sept. 17
Join us for a FREE, 8-week program for older adults that addresses concerns about falling. We’ll discuss the major factors in fall prevention and what you can do to identify your individual issues. We will also suggest changes you can make to keep yourself safe. We’ll also learn a few simple exercises to help keep you strong and moving. This program is sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Valley Family YMCA and hosted by the Peter Becker Community (Wellness Center in the Maplewood Apartments). Registration is limited, so register early. Advance registration is required. Contact Indian Valley’s Membership Desk for details.
Older adults can assess their fall risk by taking a simple test here. Through this assessment, individuals can learn how routine activities and other factors help determine their risk for falls.
_____________________________________________________
Each year, it’s estimated that one out of four Americans aged 65 or older will suffer a fall, leaving many adults with a fear of falling that can cause them to limit physical activities. This leads to reduced mobility and diminished quality of life and can increase their risk of falling. In addition, as the population ages falls put an immense strain on the health care system, with the financial toll expected to reach $67.7 billion by 2020.
The good news is that falls are preventable. With a focus on healthy aging, the Y is committed to helping older adults learn their fall risk and provide resources that can help them reduce their risk for falls. Even older adults who are in good health can suffer a fall, and many families oftentimes underestimate the risks and steps needed to prevent them. Fortunately, community-based organizations like the Y are a great resource for any older adult, family member or caregiver who wants to learn what they can do to not only decrease the risk of a fall but improve overall health and well-being.
The CDC suggests these basic lifestyle and safety changes to help reduce risk and prevent falls:
-
Begin an exercise program to improve your leg strength & balance.
-
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines.
-
Get annual eye check-ups & update your eyeglasses.
-
Make your home safer by:
-
Removing clutter & tripping hazards.
-
Putting railings on all stairs & adding grab bars in the bathroom.
-
Installing proper lighting, especially on stairs.
-
Each year on the first day of fall, the Y joins national organizations from the Falls Free Coalition and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) for National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. On Saturday, September 22, the [NAME OF YMCA] is asking older adults, caregivers, family members and health care professionals in [CITY/COMMUNITY] to join us in raise awareness to prevent falls among older adults.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an older adult in the U.S. is treated in the ER for a fall-related injury every 14 seconds and dies from a fall-related injury every 29 minutes. Additionally, falls put an immense strain on the health care system, with the financial toll expected to reach $67.7 billion by 2020. The good news is falls are preventable, and the first step to prevention is understanding risk.
With a focus on healthy aging, the Y helps older adults learn their fall risk and access programs that can help them reduce their risk for falls. Falling and fear of falling may prevent older adults from staying active, which leads to reduced mobility, diminished quality of life and increases their risk of falling.
As a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving the nation’s health for all families, the [NAME OF YMCA] encourages older adults to learn their risk for falls by taking an assessment at http://www.ymca.net/health-wb-fitness/ .
Once risk is assessed, the [NAME OF YMCA] is helping older adults feel strong, steady and safe by reducing fall risk through programs like [INSERT MOVING FOR BETTER BALANCE, ENHANCEFITNESS OR HEALTHY LIVING RELATED PROGRAM EXAMPLES, HYPERLINK TO PAGE, AND INCLUDE A TESTIMONIAL WHEN POSSIBLE].
The CDC suggests these basic lifestyle and safety changes to help reduce risk or prevent falls:
- Begin an exercise program to improve your leg strength & balance.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines.
- Get annual eye check-ups & update your eyeglasses.
- Make your home safer by:
- Removing clutter & tripping hazards.
- Putting railings on all stairs & adding grab bars in the bathroom.
- Installing proper lighting, especially on stairs.