HARTFORD – Falls are a major concern for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, millions of people 65 and older are treated in emergency departments because of falls. In addition, the direct medical costs for fall injuries are $31 billion annually, and hospital costs account for two-thirds of that total.
The 9th Annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will be observed on Thursday, September 22, on the first day of fall, of course, to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among seniors.
Area senior citizens are invited to the Center for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Quinnipiac, 370 Bassett Road, North Haven, from 9 a.m. – noon on Sept. 22 to learn how they can prevent falls. The program is free and open to the public.
Christine Kasinskas, Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University, said the event offers simple tips for seniors and their caretakers, to help keep them safe.
Some things older adult should consider are finding a good balance and exercise program, asking a health care provider to perform a falls risk assessment; regularly reviewing medications with a health care provider or pharmacist; getting hearing and vision checked annually and keeping eyeglasses current; and keeping the home safe from falling hazards and getting family involved in reducing the risk for falling.
