Press release from the YMCA of Western North Carolina:
Sept. 22 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. The YMCA of Western North Carolina is joining the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free Coalition to help raise awareness and prevention of falls in WNC.
Each year, it’s estimated that one out of four Americans aged 65 or older will suffer a fall, leaving many adults with a fear that can cause them to limit physical activities. This leads to reduced mobility and diminished quality of life and can increase their risk of falling. In addition, as the population ages falls put an immense strain on the health care system, with the financial toll expected to reach $67.7 billion by 2020.
The good news is that falls are preventable. With a focus on healthy aging, the Y is committed to helping older adults learn their fall risk and provide resources that can help them reduce their risk for falls.
“Even older adults who are in good health can suffer a fall, and many families oftentimes underestimate the risks and steps needed to prevent them,” said Diane Saccone, director of healthy aging initiatives at the YMCA of WNC. “Fortunately, community-based organizations like the Y are a great resource for any older adult, family member or caregiver who wants to learn what they can do to not only decrease the risk of a fall but improve overall health and well-being.”
The first step to prevention is understanding risk. Older adults can assess their fall risk by taking a simple test at ymca.net/fallsrisk. Through this assessment, individuals can learn how routine acitivities and other factors help determine their risk for falls.
Once assessing risk, the next step is to take action; the YMCA of WNC is helping to improve the health and well-being of older adults across the country through evidence based programs like Moving for Better Balance, A Matter of Balance, and Enhance®Fitness.
The CDC suggests these basic lifestyle and safety changes to help reduce risk and prevent falls:
- Begin an exercise program to improve your leg strength & balance
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines
- Get annual eye check-ups & update your eyeglasses
- Make your home safer by:
- Removing clutter & tripping hazards
- Putting railings on all stairs & adding grab bars in the bathroom
- Installing proper lighting, especially on stairs
To learn more about the YMCA of WNC’s Falls Prevention programs, please contact the Y at 828-251-5910 or ybcpopulationhealth@ymcawnc.org.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.