Fall Prevention Awareness Day

Oct 12th, 2009

Gov. Steve Beshear has officially proclaimed Sept. 22 as Fall Prevention Awareness Day. The Kentucky Safe Aging Coalition hopes to increase awareness that falls are a serious health concern for older adults, which can lead to life-altering complications and sometimes death, and that Kentuckians can do more to prevent them.

“Aging presents new challenges and health issues of which we must be aware,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are particularly focused on the prevention of falls and injuries among the elderly population. This type of incident is a major health concern among our senior citizens and is damaging quality of life for many Kentuckians.”

The coalition includes the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (a Kentucky Voices for Health member), the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, UK’s Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, the Kentucky Pharmacists Association, the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living , the AARP (a Kentucky Voices for Health member), Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, Health Care Excel, Body Recall Inc., the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities and Hospiceof the Bluegrass. The coalition members are partnering to promote Falls Prevention Awareness Day.

According to state and national findings, falls are the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries among older adults. It is estimated that one-third of seniors over the age of 65 fall each year, resulting in more than 33,000 Kentuckians being treated for fall-related injuries in Kentucky hospitals in 2008.

“Falls are a serious public health concern, though many may not consider them so,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner William Hacker, M.D. “It is imperative that we do more to prevent falls, especially for the elderly who are so much more susceptible to developing complications after a fall. Often, this can mean extended hospital stays or even death.”

“We know elderly people who have osteoporosis or arthritis are more at-risk of severe complications for a fall,” said Department of Aging and Independent Living Commissioner Deborah Anderson. “We want to let our residents know that there are steps that can be taken to reduce these risks.”

Injuries from falls are largely a preventable community health problem. The coalition strongly advises taking steps to reduce safety hazards in the home and being aware of causes of falls, such as lack of leg muscle strength, reactions to medications, reduced vision, chronic health problems and unsafe home conditions.

To minimize risk of falling, the coalition recommends that individuals:

· Exercise regularly to increase strength and improve balance.

· Ask a pharmacist or physician to review medications to reduce the risk of harmful side effects.

· Have a vision check at least once a year.

· Improve lighting in the home.

· Reduce hazards in the home that can lead to falls, install grab bars in bathroom areas and ensure adequate hand rails for stairs.

“For older adults, lowering the risk of falling is essential to preserve health and independence. Simple steps can lead to a safer environment and greater self-confidence,” said Julia Costich, director of KIPRC.

For data on falls specific to your county, visit http://www.kspan.uky.edu/data.htm

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