Take a Stand to Prevent Older Adult Falls
Fall is just around the corner, but falls shouldn’t be just around the corner for older adults. That’s why the StopFalls Sacramento senior fall prevention coalition is joining forces with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free® Coalition to celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Week surrounding September 23, 2015, the first day of fall.
While falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injury for people 65 years of age and older, they are not an inevitable part of aging. This year’s Fall Prevention Awareness Week theme, Take a Stand to Prevent Falls, seeks to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injury among older adults.
California Department of Public Health reports that older adults in Sacramento and Placer Counties experienced over 15,000 falls in 2013. These falls resulted in 11,588 emergency room visits, 3,630 hospital stays and 117 deaths. StopFalls Sacramento hopes to change this by bringing greater attention to the many preventive measures that can be easily employed to keep our seniors safe.
The StopFalls Sacramento coalition was formed in April, 2015 by a hospital consortium of the four trauma centers in the Sacramento Region. Injury prevention specialists from UC Davis Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center are working together with businesses, agencies and individuals that serve older adults in the greater Sacramento region to reduce fall risks and support aging safely in place.
StopFalls will be offering a series of events featuring free fall risk screening services and educational resources including multi-sensory balance assessment, medication screening, home modification consultation, blood pressure checks and more.
Sacramento area seniors are invited to join StopFalls Sacramento for the following:
TAKE A STAND TO PREVENT FALLS EVENTS:
Tuesday, September 22 • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mack Road Community Center
7833 Center Parkway, Sacramento
Hospital co-sponsor: Kaiser Permanente South
Contact: Wendie Skala, (916) 688-6425
Wednesday, September 23 • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Carmichael Library
5605 Marconi Ave, Carmichael
Hospital co-sponsor: Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Contact: Jennifer Rubin, (916) 864-5684
Thursday, September 24 • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Roseville Elks Lodge
3000 Brady Lane, Roseville
Hospital co-sponsor: Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Contact: Kate Carleton, (916) 878-2415
Friday, September 25 • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
ACC Senior Services Center
7334 Park City Dr, Sacramento
Hospital co-sponsor: UC Davis Medical Center
Contact: Christy Adams, (916) 734-9794
For more information, visit StopFalls and the National Council on Aging.
About StopFalls Sacramento
StopFalls Sacramento is a senior fall prevention coalition and regional resource network. Members include businesses, agencies and individuals that serve older adults in the greater Sacramento region. The coalition was formed to foster multi-sector and community partnerships, and develop fall prevention strategies. Members work together to reduce fall risks and support aging safely in place. [email protected] | www.facebook.com/Stopfalls-Sacramento
About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit: www.ncoa.org |www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging
Publish date:
Friday, September 18, 2015