YMCA Promotes Falls Prevention Day, September 22, 2017
Don't Let a Fall Hold You Back
On the 10th Anniversary of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, YMCA of Rock River Valley Shares Risk Factors
Rockford, IL - September 22 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day and the YMCA of Rock River Valley is joining the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free Coalition for 10 Years Standing Together to Prevent Falls, a day of action to help raise awareness and prevention of falls.
Each year, it's estimated that one out of three Americans aged 65 or older will suffer a fall, leaving many of these adults with a fear of falling that can cause them to limit physical activities. This leads to reduced mobility and diminished quality of life, and actually increases 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 access programs that can help them reduce their risk for falls.
"As a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving the nation's health, the Y is asking older adults, caregivers, family members and health care professionals to raise awareness and prevent falls in the older adult population," said Jane Johnson, SilverSneakers Coordinator, YMCA of Rock River Valley. "Falls are preventable, but many older adults and their families don't know how to safely get active; the good news is that organizations like the Y can help."
The first step to prevention is understanding risk. Older adults can assess their fall risk by taking a simple test at www.ymca.net/health-wb-fitness. Through this assessment, individuals can learn how routine activities and other factors help determine their risk for falls.
Once assessing risk, the next step is to take action. The Y is helping to improve the health and well-being of older adults across the country through programs like Active Older Adults and SilverSneakers.
The CDC suggests these basic lifestyle and safety changes to help reduce risk or 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.
About the YMCA
The YMCA of Rock River Valley is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y serves 48,000 people through six area branches and is one of the largest nonprofit employers in the greater Rockford area, with over 600 full and part-time staff.
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