It may not feel like Autumn outside yet, but Fall is just around the corner. And with it, our annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will be observed on Sept. 22nd—the first day of Fall. Recognition of this day aims to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults. Unfortunately, one-third of Americans aged 65+ experience falls each year, and most falls amongst older adults take place at home. But these falls can often be prevented.
In honor Falls Prevention Awareness Day in September, Success Matters is offering the SAFER Stepping falls prevention program, which is not hosted anywhere else in the country! The SAFER Stepping acronym stands for Surefooted Aging with Falls-related Education and Resources, and the workshop was carefully researched and designed specifically for Beatitudes Campus residents.
When most of us think about fall risks, we think about balance and the obvious trip hazards, but few consider the many other components that contribute to our overall increased risk of falls. Did you know vision, hearing, cognition, medications, and fear of falling all play a role in fall risk? The SAFER Stepping workshop was developed to address ALL of these factors and more! The course meets twice weekly for an hour and divides time between developing strength, coordination, and balance through exercises, AND systematically addressing each of the top risk factors associated with falls.
The SAFER Stepping program has already successfully graduated more than 100 participants since 2015, and it continues to empower Beatitudes residents with the physical, emotional, and mental tools to both feel and be SAFER! This year’s workshop will begin again on Tuesday, September 7th at 3:00PM and will meet every Tuesday and Thursday for six weeks in Agelink. If you are interested in participating in the upcoming session, call Jessica Meyer at x16110 to reserve a spot.
We wish you all safer stepping at Beatitudes and beyond this fall and every season of the year!
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