September 23-27 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week

September 23-27 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week

The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) is partnering with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to observe Falls Prevention Awareness Week Sept. 23-27. ADSS is committed to empowering older adults in Alabama to age well, including avoiding falls.

"Falls are a leading cause of injury for people aged 65 and older," said ADSS Commissioner Jean Brown. "Falls threaten older adults' safety and independence and generate enormous personal and economic costs."

Thankfully, through practical lifestyle adjustments, prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among older adults can be substantially reduced, Brown said. Fall prevention is a frequent topic for programs at senior centers throughout Alabama, she added.

An online fall risk assessment tool from NCOA is available at no cost. The tool is a short, 13-question survey that screens for the most common fall risk factors and is available at NCOA.org/FallsFreeCheckUp.

NCOA suggests these 7 action steps to help prevent falls:

1. Falls Free Check-Up: Answer 13 easy questions using NCOA's Falls Free Check-Up to learn how to maintain independence and stay fall-free.
2. Talk to a Doctor: One in four older adults falls each year, but only half tell their doctor.
3. Vision and Hearing: Vision and hearing play an important role in good balance, which is needed for everyday activities to prevent falls. Explore ways to keep eyes and ears healthy.
4. Family and Friends: It can feel lonely experiencing the fear of falling, but it doesn't have to be. Start a conversation with family and friends today about how to be protected from falls.
5. Medication Reviews: Taking more than one medication increases the chance of side effects, medication interactions, and the risk of falling.
6. Physical Activity and Exercise Programs: There are exercise programs that can help improve balance, strength, and flexibility.
7. Home Safety: Many older adults fall at home each year due to common household hazards. Learn how to keep the home safe here.

ADSS is a cabinet-level state agency that administers programs for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Governor Kay Ivey appointed Brown to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Senior Services in 2019.