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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year one in four adults older than 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, according to a news release from Healthy Living for ME.

“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, Healthy Living for ME announced that more than 2,100 Mainers had participated in the network’s falls prevention workshops, with 98 percent of participants reporting they have made positive changes because of 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 will be held Sunday through Saturday, Sept. 18-24. Healthy Living for ME plans to hold two public drop-in events to provide free balance assessments and information/resources to Mainers.

• On Monday, Sept. 19, Healthy Living for ME welcomes people from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to the Muskie Community Center at 38 Gold St. in Waterville for a balance screening and information drop-in event.

• On Thursday, Sept. 22, Healthy Living for ME welcomes people from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to the Cohen Community Center at 22 Town Farm Road in Hallowell for a balance screening and information drop-in event.

Healthy Living for ME will also have an exhibit on falls prevention from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Aging in the Right Place Forum at the Inn Along the Way, 741 Main St. in Damariscotta. Additionally, Healthy Living for ME will host a virtual wellness break focused on falls prevention during the Maine Council on Aging’s 2022 Wisdom Summit on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

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.

To learn more about these workshops, to register for one, or to make a referral, visit healthylivingforme.org, call 800-620-6036, or email info@healthylivingforme.org.

 

 

Check out other upcoming area events!

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