On the first day of Fall, Wednesday, September 22, 2021 through September 24,2021, the Falls Free Initiative is promoting their National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. States are encouraged to host and promote falls prevention education and screening activities to help raise awareness about the impact of falls among older adults and offer practical falls prevention solutions.
There will be several webinars which can be viewed online and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) has also created a Falls Free Checkup List here. This checklist is a digital tool that provides a personalized overview of falls risk factors and ways to address them for older adults.
We have also highlighted the NCOA’s “6 Steps to Prevent A Fall” below:
1. Find a good balance and exercise program: Look to build balance, strength, and flexibility. Find program you like and take a friend.
2. Talk to your health care provider: Ask for an assessment of your risk of falling. Share your history of recent falls.
3. Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist: Make sure side effects aren’t increasing your risk of falling. Take medications only as prescribed.
4. Get your vision and hearing checked annually and updated your eyeglasses: Your eyes and ears are key to keeping you on your feet.
5. Keep your home safe: Remove tripping hazards, increase lighting, make stairs safe, and install grab bars in key areas.
6. Talk to your family members: Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe. Falls are not just a seniors’ issue.
To get involved in Falls Prevention Awareness week, visit: ncoa.org/FallsPrevention.