Good Samaritan Presents Free Monthly Fall Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of injury and death for those 65 and older according to the CDC. Last year alone, CHI Health Good Samaritan admitted 241 older adults for fall-related injuries.
Good Samaritan is hosting a fall prevention learning series that will explore a different topic each month to help those at most risk. Join Good Samaritan’s Wellness Center for ‘Chair Yoga: Balance for Beginners’ from 10:30 am until 11:30 am on Tuesday, July 25 at the Peterson Senior Activity Center, 2020 West 11th St., Kearney. It's an easy routine for seniors and the limited mobility community to challenge their balance and while gaining stability and mobility. The class is free and open to the public.
Upcoming sessions begin at 10:30 am at the senior center and include CHI Health Clinic neurology provider Denise Waterfield, APRN discussing ‘Common Conditions That Have You Off-Balance’ on Aug. 22 and ‘Balance: What Your Physical Therapist Wants You to Know’ presented by Kearney Physical Therapy on Sept. 26.
“Falling is not an inevitable result of aging. In fact, most falls can be avoided by addressing common underlying risk factors. It might be something as simple as adding a nightlight or removing a tripping hazard, to getting your eyesight and hearing checked yearly,” says Tracy Rademacher, trauma prevention coordinator at Good Samaritan. “Keeping our community safe with manageable tips and beneficial advice from our experts is the basis for this learning series.
This learning series was made possible by a grant from the Bob and Jackie Rosenlof Speaker Series Fund held at the Kearney Area Community Foundation.
Facts About Falls (www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html):
Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, 1 but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.
Fall death rates in the U.S. increased 30% from 2007 to 2016 for older adults. If rates continue to rise, the CDC anticipates seven fall deaths every hour by 2030.
One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.
Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.
Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling,8 usually by falling sideways.
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
In 2015, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion. Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.
Ways to prevent falls:
Talk openly with your healthcare provider about fall risks & prevention.
Exercise to improve your balance and strength.
Have your eyes and feet checked.
Make your home safer.