Falls Prevention Awareness Day – September 22 is U.S. Falls Prevention Awareness Day.
The fall season isn’t just a time to watch the beautiful foliage and prepare for colder temps. It’s also an important time to think about the dangers of falling and prevention methods.
September 22 is U.S. Falls Prevention Awareness Day.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits and on this day it is important to shed light to address this public health issue.
For people over the age of 65, it becomes an even greater concern as falls can have a huge impact on quality of life and health.
The national holiday which was established in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush aims to educate people on the dangers of falling and how to prevent it from happening. The goal is to raise awareness about falls and encourage actionable steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of falling – especially in older adults.
There are many things that can happen physically as we age that can lead to falls. For example, balance and gait can begin to deteriorate and we can more easily lose coordination and balance. As our vision worsens it can make seeing right in front of us harder and there could also be side effects of medications we are taking that cause imbalance and increase falling risks.
The good news is that there are lots of ways to stay safe. Even if you have not yet reached 65 years of age, it’s never too early or too late to start taking care of yourself.
Here are some tips for preventing falls:
- Make sure your shoes fit right and always wear shoes with rubber soles that have good traction on the bottom.
- Keep your home well-lit at night and make sure there aren’t any loose rugs or clutter that could cause you to trip up when walking around your house.
- Ask for help from family or neighbors who can assess if there are any dangers present in your home in regards to tripping hazards.
- Always focus your eyes on where you’re going so you don’t trip over something unexpected in your path.
- Don’t forget about those who might not be able to look out for themselves: make sure seniors have access to safe places inside their homes and while outdoors.
We hope these tips help keep everyone around you safe today—and every day!
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