Parkland hosts free fall prevention assessments, workshops
Falls are leading cause of injury deaths for older adults
Every second an older adult in the U.S. falls and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from a fall. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, unintentional injuries and hospital admission for trauma among older adults. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, older Americans experienced 29 million falls causing 7 million injuries and costing $31 billion in Medicare expenditures.
“Falls result in 27,000 deaths in older adults each year. More than 10,000 U.S. baby boomers turn 65 each day, increasing the likelihood that fall-related injuries and deaths will leap in the coming years. Preventing falls is a top priority for older adults, their families and caregivers,” said LaTrica Hicks, PhD, Geriatric Education Coordinator at Parkland Health & Hospital System.
During September, Fall Prevention Awareness Month, Parkland’s Department of Geriatrics will host a series of free events to the public to emphasize that falls are preventable. At the events, Parkland will offer fall risk assessments, information about how to decrease your fall risk and the opportunity to speak with a Parkland podiatrist, pharmacist or physical therapist about fall risks. In addition, the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas based at Parkland, in collaboration with Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center, will offer Tai Chi demonstrations and information.
The events will be held on the following dates and times at Parkland Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) health centers in the area:
• Friday, Sept. 8 at the Garland Health Center, 802 Hopkins, Garland 75040, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 14 at the deHaro-Saldivar Health Center, 1400 N. Westmoreland Rd., Dallas 75211, 1 – 3 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 15 at the Southeast Dallas Health Center, 9202 Elam Rd., Dallas 75217, 1 - 3 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 22 at the Hatcher Station Health Center, 4600 Scyene Rd., Dallas 75210, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 22 at the Bluitt-Flowers Health Center, 303 E. Overton Rd., Dallas 75216, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 28 at Parkland Geriatrics Center, 1936 Amelia Court, 1st floor, Dallas 75235, 8 – 10 a.m.
According to Dr. Hicks, there are many things older individuals can do to decrease or prevent falls, such as:
• Begin a balance and exercise program to improve strength, flexibility and stability
• Talk to your healthcare provider about your fall risk and share your history of recent falls
• Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist regularly to make sure side effects are not increasing your fall risk. Take medications only as prescribed
• Get your vision and hearing checked every year and update your eyeglasses with new prescription lenses as needed
• Keep your home safe — remove tripping hazards, improve lighting, install grab bars where needed and make stairs safe
• Talk to family members to get their support to help you stay safe.
To learn more about services at Parkland hospital, visit www.parklandhospital.com
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