September 13, 2021
As summer transitions to fall, reduce your fall risk. September 20-24, 2021 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
An estimated 17.1% of Ohioans are age 65 or older, and one-fourth of them fall each year.
Falls are the leading cause of injury among people 65 and older in Ohio, leading in 2018 to 1,309 deaths, 19,409 hospitalizations, and 78,995 emergency department visits, according to mortality data from the Ohio Department of Health' s Bureau of Vital Statistics and discharge data from the Ohio Hospital Association.
Falls account for 55.9% of fatal traumatic brain injuries among Ohioans age 65 and older, and, for survivors, can lead to depression, loss of mobility, and loss of functional independence.
Injuries from falls are largely preventable through:
- Exercise programs to improve balance and strength
- Medication management
- Vision improvement
- Reduction of home hazards
- Fall prevention education
Refer to the STEADY U Ohio falls prevention initiative for useful tips on how to reduce fall risk in our daily lives.
For Falls Prevention Awareness Week 2021, TriHealth Community Benefits is providing over 4,000 fall prevention activity placemats to the following: Meals on Wheels program recipients in Butler and Warren County, TriHealth Outpatient Therapy locations, People Working Cooperatively, TriHealth Rehabilitation Hospital and other community recipients.
If you would like more information on fall prevention awareness activities that people can do at home or in the community contact Stephanie Lambers, TriHealth Community Benefit/Special Projects Consultant, at stephanie_lambers@trihealth.com.