Rock Rapids, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Iowa Department on Aging, and Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition join partners across the state in recognizing this Friday, September 21, 2018, as Falls Prevention Awareness Day. And the health department in one northwest Iowa county is promoting their home falls assessment.
Maggie Ferguson of the IDPH Office of Disability, Injury and Violence Prevention says that Iowa averages 10,825 falls-related hospitalizations every year. She says the total charges for hospital stays in Iowa related to falls is $298 million per year. Ferguson goes on to say that the consequences of falls are not just financial; falls also contribute to a decreased ability to perform household tasks, a reduced quality of life, and may result in loss of independence for those over age 65. Additionally, she says falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
Shannon Klarenbeek is a nurse with Health Services of Lyon County. She tells us they have a program to help prevent falls.
The Iowa Department of Public Health says falls are not a natural consequence of aging. They say injuries from falls are largely preventable and evidence-based programs can reduce falls through exercise programs to improve balance and strength, manage medications, reduce hazards in the home, and improve vision.
For more information about falls prevention, visit https://www.idph.iowa.gov/falls-prevention. To learn more about the Walk With Ease program, visit https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/tools-resources/walk-with-ease/. And that phone number to ask for the falls risk assessment with Health Services of Lyon County is 712-472-8200.
