FP Awareness Week

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	*Fall Prevention Awareness Week* *September 20 – 27, 2009* Nearly 8,000 Deaths and 56,000 Hospitalizations in 2005. (DHHS, June 23, 2008) What is Fall Prevention Awareness Week? The State of California recognizes the importance of fall prevention with the introduction of a legislative resolution promoting Fall Prevention Awareness in California. Senate Concurrent Resolution 77, authored by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), establishes an annual Fall Prevention Week recognition in the state and urges all state and local agencies to incorporate fall prevention considerations in their planning documents affecting housing, transportation, parks and recreational facilities. Co-sponsored by the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and the California Commission Aging, the resolution also urges state and local aging programs to incorporate fall prevention in their master plans, and recommends the development of standardized definitions and reporting methods to approve the information available on falls. Slated for September 20-27 Fall Prevention Coalitions throughout the state plan on celebrating Fall Prevention Awareness Week aiming to raise awareness among the area’s older persons and their families about the seriousness of falls and how they can be prevented. Why is Fall Prevention important? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an older adult is treated in a hospital emergency room for a fall every 18 seconds, and every 35 minutes an older adult dies as a result of a fall related injury. In fact, among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. In California alone, 1.3 million older adults experience an injury due to falling each year. The good news is that falls can be prevented. A combination of interventions including physical activity that includes a regimen of balance, flexibility and strength training have been found to significantly reduce falls in the older adult population. Experts also recommend consulting with a health professional about getting a risk assessment for falling as well as making sure the environment is safe and supportive. What is A4AA doing about fall awareness? In 2006 A4AA developed and tested the Live Strong & Safe Falls Prevention Program. LS&S consists of a four-part curriculum that focuses on environmental assessment and home modification/safety, medication management, exercise, and nutrition. During FP Awareness week 2009, A4AA is coordinating with the Sacramento County Library System to hold workshops on environmental safety, nutrition, medication management as well as exercise and balance. Link to 2009 Fall Prevention Awareness Week events in our area Link to Fall Prevention Awareness Week poster. Link to Fall Prevention Awareness Week Proclamation What are other local communities doing? Many senior service providers have incorporated fall prevention activities into their existing programs: (e.g., provision of home modifications, fall prevention education, medication review, fall risk assessments, home health care, and strength/balance classes). What can YOU do? Plan for next year’s Fall Prevention Awareness Week by getting started now! Advocate for Fall Prevention: Find out what local service providers are currently doing about fall prevention and develop a local Fall Prevention Coalition to expand on what’s already being done. Visit www.stopfalls.org to find out how to advocate for Fall Prevention by using the site’s fully developed Fall Prevention Advocacy Toolkit. Educate your local leaders about the negative effects that falls have on your community. Encourage leaders to pass a Fall Prevention Week Proclamation for next year. Falls CAN be prevented. Help Spread the word. Live Strong and Safe Fall Prevention Program Area 4 Agency on Aging 2260 Park Towne Circle, Suite 100 ● Sacramento, CA 95825 Phone: (916) 486-1876 ● Fax: (916) 486-9454 ● www.a4aa.com