Programs to help seniors stretch and develop postural stability and awareness of body positioning in space are helpful to overall wellness. Older adults can also use chairs safely for balancing exercises. (Getty images)
A $600,000 federal grant awarded to the Rhode Island Department of Health will fund programming to reduce the risk of falling among older adults and adults with disabilities living in low-income households in three communities.
State health officials will collaborate with public housing authorities in Woonsocket, Providence, and East Providence housing authorities to expand evidence-based fall-prevention programs like A Matter of Balance and Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance. They will also work with community providers on fall prevention training and improve the collection of data from emergency responders.
The announcement of the funding Thursday coincides with Falls Prevention Week, which ends Friday, a nationwide public health initiative to raise awareness that falls are preventable and encourage older adults and their families to be vigilant about potential hazards. Preventing falls is a key strategy to ensure that older adults can age in place in the comfort of their own homes.
Falls are the number one cause of injury and fatal injury among older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than one out of four older adults fall each year, and falling once doubles their chances of falling again.
In Rhode Island, from 2016 to 2022, falls were the most common injury for Emergency Department visits, with a rate of 19.6 per 1,000 visits, state health department officials said.
But the state has lower rates of falls among people age 65 and older compared to the national average, according to CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data analyzed in the 2023 America’s Health Rankings. About 27.1% of older adults in the U.S. reported falling in the past 12 months. In Rhode Island, the figure was 25%.
“This is Fall Prevention Awareness Week, and it is an important reminder that the prevention of falls is one way to help older adults maintain their independence,” said Olutosin Ojugbele, M.D., Medical Director for RIDOH’s Division of Community Health and Equity. “By helping older adults to focus on improved balance, strength, and home safety, we can significantly reduce the risk of falls and enhance quality of life. Healthcare professionals, caregivers, and family members should all know about the resources that are available to help prevent falls.”
There are things older adults can do to prevent falls, including:
Remove tripping hazards like area rugs or other clutter.
Add grab bars inside and outside of bathtubs and showers and next to toilets.
Be sure all stairs have railings.
Make sure all areas in your home are well lit.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review all the medicines you take, including anything that is not prescribed.
Have your vision checked by an eye doctor. Poor vision can increase the chance of falling.
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