2009 Falls Prevention Day
History: Falls have been identified as a serious health problem in our state, with 35% of adults 65 and older falling each year. The risk of falls increases as a person ages; by age 85, one in every two adults falls every year. Around 10 – 20% of these falls cause a serious injury, including brain injury and hip fracture. As seniors are the fastest growing segment of our population, it is important to provide strategies to reduce the number of falls and the complications of serious injuries, loss of independence and decreased quality of life.
Beginning in 2006, as a result of a statewide report on falls, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed a statewide proclamation designating the first day of fall as Senior Fall Prevention Awareness Day. The University of Washington PT and OT Programs have participated since 2006. It is the goal to have students from all PT, OT, PTA and OTA programs in the state of Washington participating in this event.
Summary of Event: These events are designed to educate older adults, their families and friends about the factors that increase the risk of falling, and what can be done to prevent falls in the community and at home. At each designated site, students will provide educational materials, talk with older adults about causes for instability and offer advice about how to prevent falls. Interested adults can participate in a falls screening that includes the Timed-Up-And-Go (TUG) and Functional Reach (FR) tests. Based on the results of these tests and other factors (such as type of shoes, previous number of falls, etc.), the student will provide participants with an assessment report card. Training sessions on the TUG, FR, guarding with a gait belt and an overview of fall risk factors and strategies/interventions to decrease the risk of falls will be done just prior to the activity.
Spokane-area Screenings:
September 15- Corbin Senior Activity Center, 827 W Cleveland, 11 am- 12pm
September 17- Southside Senior Activity and Community Center, 3151 E 27th Ave, 10 am- 12 pm
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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