Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Sept. 22-29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 13, 2017

LAS VEGAS – A fear of falling is a very real fear for many older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2.8 million older adults each year are treated in emergency departments due to injuries sustained in a fall. That means one in four adults will experience a fall and of those, fewer than half will discuss it with a health care provider. Fortunately, many falls are preventable and do not have to be an inevitable part of aging, according to the National Council on Aging, which has tips and resources for older adults and caregivers on the Falls Prevention section of its website.nformation is also available on the Senior Fall Prevention section of the Get Healthy Clark County website.

Before and during Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Sept. 22-29, free fall risk assessments will be available at various locations. Check the individual events for registration requirements:

- Monday, Sept. 18, Noon-3 p.m., Sun City Summerlin, 10360 Sun City Blvd.,
  Contact: (702) 363-1486 For Residents Only
- Monday, Sept. 18, 1:30 p.m. Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo
  Contact: (702) 229-6723
- Tuesday, Sept. 19, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Contact: (702) 483-6032. Online registration is required
  www.keepmemoryalive.org/screen17
- Wednesday, Sept. 20, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. YMCA Durango, 3521 N. Durango Dr.
  Contact: (702) 528-5598
- Thursday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, 9005 S. Pecos Rd., Ste. 307.
  Contact: (702) 818-5000
- Friday, Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Southern Nevada Health District, 280 S. Decatur
  Contact (702) 759-1268
- Monday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – Noon, UMC Healthy Living Institute, 901 Rancho Ln, Ste 180.
  Contact: (702) 383-7353

Among Clark County residents age 65 and older, falls are the number one cause of injury-related death as well as injury-related emergency department visits. The CDC reports that 800,000 people are hospitalized each year due to a fall-related injury and mostly due to a head injury or a hip fracture. Ninety-five percent of hip fractures are caused by a fall.

Older adults are encouraged to discuss their risk of falling with their health care providers, who can provide a fall risk assessment. Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling, causing them to limit their activities. This can lead to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, which, in turn, can actually increase the risk of falling. Evidence-based programs are available for seniors to reduce their risks and focus on increasing muscle strength and balance.

Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors, including:

- Lower body weakness
- Difficulties with balance and walking
- Medications, including over-the-counter medicines
- Vision problems
- Foot pain
- Home hazards such as throw rugs, clutter, bad lighting, broken steps
- Vitamin D deficiency

The CDC also provides statistics and information to reduce the risk of falls on the Important Facts about Falls section of its website.

- Exercise regularly to improve bone health, balance, and coordination.
- Make homes safer by removing items from stairs/walkways to prevent tripping, avoid using step stools, use non-slip mats in tubs and showers, improve lighting, remove throw rugs or put double-sided tape on them to prevent slipping, install handrails/lights on staircases.
- Consult a healthcare provider to review medications as some can cause lightheadedness or drowsiness and increase the risk of falling.
- Have a vision check, because poor vision or incorrect lens prescriptions can increase the risk of falls.

Access information about the Southern Nevada Health District on its website: www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict, YouTube: www.youtube.com/SNHealthDistrict, Twitter: www.twitter.com/SNHDinfo, and Instagram: www.instagram.com/southernnevadahealthdistrict/. The Health District is available in Spanish on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TuSNHD. Don’t have a Twitter account? Follow the Health District on your phone by texting “follow SNHDinfo” to 40404. Additional information and data can be accessed through the Healthy Southern Nevada website: www.HealthySouthernNevada.org.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.