DHS and Georgia Area Agencies on Aging recognize Falls Prevention Awareness Week

Next week is National Falls Prevention week, and to celebrate, the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is sharing some tips to prevent falls and events being hosted around the state to raise awareness about the topic.  

As our aging population in Georgia continues to grow, so does their risk of falling. According to the National Council on Aging, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall every 11 seconds.  

Falls are a leading cause of injury for people ages 65 and older, but they can be prevented. With over three million fall-related injuries being treated in emergency rooms nationally, DHS encourages you to know the proven ways to prevent falls and protect yourself and your loved ones.  

The Mayo Clinic provides several tips to prevent falls, which include making an appointment with your health care provider to discuss your medications and health conditions, staying mobile, wearing sensible shoes, removing home hazards, using light in your living space, and using assistive devices.  

According to the National Council on Aging, hazards in the home, including clutter, poor lighting, and lack of supports such as grab bars, can cause falls. Home modifications can address these issues and reduce fall risks in the home. 

In recognition of Falls Prevention Week, DHS and Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging along with partners throughout Georgia have embraced opportunities to help older adults stay active and make their homes safer.   

• In the Mountain Region, the Gainesville-Hall County Senior Center will stage a mock scene in a home setting with mannequins or live models with fall hazards to be identified by participants on September 24. They will observe the scene and write down fall risks and submit their answers. Additionally, they will partner with the University of North Georgia’s Kinesiology Department for a fall prevention assessment and walking/steps club activity on October 1.
• In the River Valley Region, the Regional Commission will host a falls discussion with an occupational therapist on September 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crisp County Senior Center.
• In the Middle Georgia Region, there will be a Falls Free Senior Health and Wellness Fair on September 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Monroe County Convention Center. 
• In the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Region, the Regional Commission will offer five Tai Chi classes. The schedule of classes and locations can be found here. During the week, they will focus on the cost of falls and class participants will complete a pledge card to committing their lives to prevent falls. Tai Chi helps promote body awareness (upright posture, weight transfer), environmental awareness (assessing the rooms we enter to recognize fall risks), and regular and consistent practice of movement that strengthens our bodies.
• In the Atlanta Region, the Georgia Falls Prevention Taskforce is coordinating their Falls Free Friday webinar series taking place throughout September and is open to everyone statewide. The series highlights fall prevention tips, assistive technology, self-care, and more. Learn more here. 

Visit Georgia Health Matters to learn more about options available in local communities and Georgia’s falls prevention initiatives. If you’re concerned about falling, reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging and see if there is a home modification program near you. For advice on how to talk to your loved one’s doctor and tips to fall-proof your home, visit the Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room guide. Together, we can reduce falls and increase safety for all aging Georgians.