Statewide - September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact that falls have on the lives of millions of Americans each year and take steps to prevent falls. The U.S. CDC reports that each year one in four adults over the age of 65 experiences a fall. Additionally, the National Council on Aging reports that an older adult is seen in an emergency room every 11 seconds due to a fall-related injury. “Healthy Living for ME is actively making a difference for Mainers who are at risk for falls. Through workshops and resource connections, network partners throughout the state are helping Mainers reduce their risk of falls and improve their quality of life,” said Jennifer Fortin, Training & Fidelity Manager of Healthy Living for ME. “During this Falls Prevention Awareness Month, we encourage Mainers to assess their own risk for falls and have conversations about preventing falls with loved ones who may be at risk.”
Healthy Living for ME Recognizes September as Falls Prevention Awareness Month
Statewide Network Offers Free, Low-Cost Falls Prevention Education
Statewide - September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact that falls have on the lives of millions of Americans each year and take steps to prevent falls.
The U.S. CDC reports that each year one in four adults over the age of 65 experiences a fall. Additionally, the National Council on Aging reports that an older adult is seen in an emergency room every 11 seconds due to a fall-related injury.
“Healthy Living for ME is actively making a difference for Mainers who are at risk for falls. Through workshops and resource connections, network partners throughout the state are helping Mainers reduce their risk of falls and improve their quality of life,” said Jennifer Fortin, Training & Fidelity Manager of Healthy Living for ME. “During this Falls Prevention Awareness Month, we encourage Mainers to assess their own risk for falls and have conversations about preventing falls with loved ones who may be at risk.”
In May 2022, Healthy Living for ME announced that over 2100 Mainers had participated in the network’s falls prevention workshops, with 98% of participants reporting they have made positive changes due to their experience.
In 2022, Healthy Living for ME will be marking Falls Prevention Awareness month with several events in addition to the network’s regularly offered falls prevention workshops.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is held during the awareness month, September 18-24, 2022. During this week, Healthy Living for ME will be holding two public drop-in events to provide free balance assessments and information/resources to Mainers.
On September 19th, Healthy Living for ME welcomes people to the Muskie Community Center in Waterville from 10-11:30am for the balance screening and information drop-in event.
On September 22nd, Healthy Living for ME welcomes people to the Cohen Community Center in Hallowell from 10:30am-12:30pm for the balance screening and information drop-in event.
Healthy Living for ME will also have an exhibit on falls prevention at the Aging in the Right Place Forum in Damariscotta on September 15th. Additionally, Healthy Living for ME will be hosting a wellness break focused on falls prevention at the Maine Council on Aging’s 2022 Wisdom Summit on September 21st.
Among the factors that may put someone at risk for falls are balance and gait, as well as the presence of chronic conditions that lead to inactivity or pain. Throughout the year, the Healthy Living for ME network offers free and low-cost evidence-based workshops that can help adult Mainers of all ages prevent falls through addressing balance, flexibility, and activity levels. These include A Matter of Balance, Tai Chi for Health and Balance, Bingocize, and EnhanceFitness.