Coalition Campaigns to Prevent Falls Among Elderly
By EGP News Service
A new coalition has been created by health officials to reduce the number of falls among the elderly through a public awareness campaign.
The Fall Prevention Coalition-Los Angeles is attempting to educate older adults about the concerns and costs of suffering falls, a message they will spread this week as part of “Fall Prevention Week,” running through Sept. 27.
The coalition, supported by a grant from the Kaiser Foundation, consists of government agencies, non-profit organizations, health and senior service providers, and advocacy groups.
As part of “Fall Prevention Awareness Week,” Coalition members are educating older adults, caregivers, service providers, and policy makers about fall risks and ways to reduce them.
“Falls rank fifth among the most frequently dispatched EMS categories. We respond to more falls than cardiac arrests,” said Los Angeles City Fire Chief Michael Thomas in a statement released Sept. 4. “These falls, many of which occur at home, can be especially harmful to older adults.
For those over 65 years, man of whom have preexisting chronic conditions like osteoporosis,” Thomas said. ”less severe injuries can have more serious impact that for other age groups.”
Each year, one in three older adults suffer a fall. In Los Angeles, this amounts to 125,000 people, according to a statement. In 2004, 11,000 falls resulted in hospitalization throughout the city, each with an average of just over $46,000.
Falls can also have devastating personal costs for older adults and their loved ones, often leading to decreased functioning and a fear of falling that limits activity and requires care-giving.
“Many older people think that falls just happen when you grow older and there is nothing that can be done,” said Jon Pynoos, co-director at the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence. “Just the opposite is true. Falls happen for specific reasons and many can be addressed by regular physical activity to increase balance, strength and flexibility.”
This year, more than 21 states joined California in promoting fall prevention during the first National Prevention Awareness Day on Sept. 22.
Los Angeles officials said the coalition is provideng handouts, posters, and place mats to community centers, senior housing, nutrition sites and medical centers during this year ‘s Fall Prevention Awareness week. Coalition member organizations will also host educational presentations, blood pressure screenings, and medication reviews.
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September 25, 2009 Copyright © 2012 Eastern Group Publications, Inc.
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