Washoe County and its partners take a stand to prevent older adult falls

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day brings communities together in support of healthy aging.

Reno, Nevada. Sept. 22, 2015. Fall is just around the corner, but falls shouldn’t be just around the corner for older adults. That’s why Washoe County and its partners are joining forces with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free Coalition the first day of fall for Falls Prevention Awareness Day on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.

Washoe County Senior Services, Washoe County Health District, Nevada Goes Falls Free Coalition, The Continuum, The University of Nevada Reno Sanford Center for Aging, and the City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Services are working together to build awareness on how to prevent and avoid falls, especially among vulnerable seniors.

The general public and members of the media are invited to see the Stretch and Tone Class, which is held three times per week, demonstrate exercises that increase balance and reduce falls.

In addition, experts will be available to the media and public to meet to discuss ways seniors can reduce the risk of falling. Medication Management will be also be on hand to help identify medications that may increase the risk of falls.

What: Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Where: Washoe County Senior Services at 1155 E 9th St, Reno, NV

When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

“There are many activities for seniors throughout Washoe County that can help improve strength, conditioning and balance,” said City of Reno Program Manager for Senior Programs Darryl Feemster. “In fact, more than 300 seniors participated in the recently completed Senior Summer Games, sponsored by the City of Reno. We hope for an even better turnout for Falls Prevention Awareness Day and encourage people to join us and get active!”

According to a study conducted by Washoe County Senior Services, more than 27 percent of seniors reported  they had fallen over the past year.

“The older people become, the more likely they are to fall and the more likely they are to be injured,” said Director of Washoe County Senior Services Grady Tarbutton. “There are many things that seniors and their families can do to prevent falls, which is why we are teaming up with our partners to help provide information about readily available resources.”

The following is a list of ways seniors can limit the risk of falling:

• Participating in a physical activity regimen with balance, strength training, and flexibility components.
• Consulting with a health professional about getting a fall risk assessment.
• Having medications reviewed periodically.
• Getting eyes and ears checked annually.
• Making sure the home environment is safe and supportive.

“We can reduce falls and the injuries that come from them by bringing greater attention to the many preventive measures that can be easily employed to keep our seniors safe," said Diane Ross, director of the Continuum and Mod Squad, local programs that help vulnerable seniors. “The Mod Squad does home safety assessments and home modifications to make seniors’ homes safer.”

The recent United States of Aging Survey polled older adults to find out about how they are preparing for their later years. It found that more than half of seniors questioned said they would be interested in the expansion of community-based health promotion programs, including falls prevention classes. For more information, or go to www.ncoa.org/FPAD.

“As we grow older, falls can lead to serious injuries, loss of independence, and even death. That’s why it’s important to make plans to reduce falls, especially among the elderly population,” said Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “Hopefully Fall Awareness activities will help people put together plans and strategies to prevent falls from occurring.”

About the Falls Free Initiative

Led by the National Council on Aging, the Falls Free Initiative includes 43 states and 70 national organizations, professional associations, and federal agencies working collaboratively to bring education, awareness, and evidence-based solutions to local communities. Falls Free seeks to provide hundreds of thousands of older Americans with the resources and education needed to reduce their risk of injury. For more information, please visit: www.ncoa.org/FallsFreeInitiative. Use #FPAD15 to join the conversation on social media.

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