September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month. In 2019, Falls Prevention Day is on Monday, September 23. It coincides with the first day of fall. The Southern Chapter of the Arizona Falls Coalition (SCAFPC) will be hosting and promoting several community events throughout the month aimed at preventing falls and reducing fall-related injuries among older adults. The series of events will continue through the months of October and November, at different locations across metro Tucson, Marana, Picture Rocks, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Patagonia, Sierra Vista and Nogales.
Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths but are largely preventable.
As people live longer, risks associated with aging become more commonplace. Each day, over 10,000 people over age 65 fall in the United States. Approximately 38% of brain injuries are due to falls and injuries from falls are increasingly the main cause for emergency room visits. Often, people over age 65 who are severely injured by falling only go to the emergency room with their 7th fall. We urgently need to fill the gap in awareness and resources; it takes a community to make a difference.
To learn more, visit PCOA.org and HealthyPima.org/falls
