BERLIN – Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among those ages 65 and older. In 2008, 2.1 million non-fatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments, resulting in more than 559,000 patients being hospitalized.
Twenty to 30 percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures or head traumas. Even if no injuries occur after a fall, many people develop a fear of falling, which in turn often causes them to limit their activities. This can result in reduced mobility and loss of physical conditioning, increasing their risk of falling.
Atlantic General Hospital’s Healthy Happenings program is offering its next Stepping On class to the community beginning Feb. 25.
Stepping On is a program that empowers older adults to carry out healthy behaviors that reduce the risks of falls. It is a community-based workshop offered once a week for seven weeks using adult education and self-efficacy principles. In a small-group setting, older adults learn balance exercises and develop specific knowledge and skills to prevent falls.
Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders. There are guest experts who visit the classes to offer their expertise in falls prevention: physical therapists, vision experts, community safety experts, pharmacists and past participants. The curriculum is centered on balance building exercises and strength building exercises and ways to keep people safe from falls in their homes and in the community.
Atlantic General Hospital has been offering the Stepping On Program in the community since early 2012.