Departments of Aging and Health Observe Falls Prevention Awareness Day

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania departments of Aging and Health encouraged all Pennsylvania residents today at an event at the state capitol to join in the observance of Falls Prevention Awareness Day, Sept. 23.

The theme of this year's Falls Prevention Awareness Day, "Strong Today, Falls Free Tomorrow," aims to promote practices that help protect people against hazardous falls.

"Falls are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities for older Pennsylvanians," Secretary of Aging Brian Duke said. "Falls prevention programs, such as free classes administered through the departments of Aging and Health, have been proven to be effective in preventing hospitalizations due to falls."

The chance of falling and becoming seriously injured increases with age. However, anyone can take precautionary measures to increase an older person's strength and balance.

"We continue our commitment to this important public health issue," Secretary of Health Michael Wolf said. "Together with our partners, our education and prevention efforts are making a difference and helping to improve quality of life for our older citizens."

The Department of Aging offers two fall prevention programs, "Healthy Steps for Older Adults (HSOA)" and "Healthy Steps in Motion (HSIM)." These programs raise awareness of fall risks, educate people on how to reduce falls, increase strength and balance through exercise, and provide referrals and resources.

Both programs work with the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to offer educational materials and exercise guidance that can help keep older adults healthy in their homes and communities. The program now is offered in 41 AAAs, with nearly 3,000 individuals participating in HSOA and over 900 participating in HSIM. In honor of National Falls Prevention Day, free classes on falls prevention and related wellness topics will be offered across the state.

The Department of Health supports the "A Matter of Balance" program, which is designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity.

A Matter of Balance uses a variety of activities to address physical, social and cognitive factors that affect the fear of falling and teach fall prevention strategies.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has partnered with five local health departments this year on the A Matter of Balance program in Montgomery and Chester counties, as well as Allentown, Bethlehem and York. In 2013-2014, these five departments have held six coaches training sessions, resulting in 27 new coaches in the state to help facilitate education activities. Since its inception in 2010, the program has held 33 trainings in the state, resulting in new 241 coaches and approximately 1,400 participants.

Both departments participate in the Falls Free® Initiative, a collection of more than 40 states and 70 national organizations and state coalitions working to bring education and awareness through evidence-based solutions to reduce fall-related injury and death among older adults.

For more information about these programs, visit the Department of Aging at www.aging.state.pa.us or the Department of Health at www.health.state.pa.us.

Media contact:  Christina Reese, Aging, 717-783-1550
Aimee Tysarczyk, Health, 717-787-1783

Editor's Note: The text for the proclamation recognizing Falls Prevention Awareness Day is as follows:

Proclamation
Falls Prevention Awareness Day
September 23, 2014

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is committed to protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of all Commonwealth citizens; and

WHEREAS, the population of adults, ages 55 to 64, has increased more than 50 percent in the past 10 years, and the number of individuals ages 65 and older, who are at highest risk for falls, is expected to increase similarly in the coming years; and

WHEREAS, falling and the fear of falling can lead to depression, hopelessness, loss of mobility and loss of functional independence; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, approximately one out of every 44 Pennsylvanians over 65 years of age was hospitalized due to a fall; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, falls were the leading cause of hospital admissions, resulting in $3.39 billion in medical costs annually, and falls remain the leading cause of injury deaths among people over the age of 65; and

WHEREAS, falls prevention is a public health priority, especially with its potential to reduce traumatic injuries amongst the 65 and older population; and

WHEREAS, implementing older adult falls prevention strategies is an effective tool for reducing the stresses associated with providing caregiver services; and

WHEREAS, falls prevention strategies can positively impact the quality of life of Pennsylvania's older adults, helping them remain healthy, active and independent.

THEREFORE, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim Sept. 23, 2014, as FALLS PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY in Pennsylvania and encourage citizens across the Commonwealth to recognize the importance of falls prevention in Pennsylvania as a priority for public health. 

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this first day of September in the Year of our Lord two thousand and fourteen, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

TOM CORBETT
Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging; Pennsylvania Department of Health