Healthy Living for ME focuses on falls during Falls Prevention Awareness Month

AUGUSTA – September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and Healthy Living for ME is putting focus on the impact that falls have on the lives of millions of Americans each year and take steps to prevent falls.
The U.S. CDC reports that each year one in four adults over the age of 65 experiences a fall. Additionally, the National Council on Aging reports that an older adult is seen in an emergency room every 11 seconds because of a fall-related injury.
“Healthy Living for ME is actively making a difference for Mainers who are at risk for falls,” Jennifer Fortin, training and fidelity manager of Healthy Living for ME, said. “Through workshops and resource connections, network partners throughout the state are helping Mainers reduce their risk of falls and improve their quality of life. 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 2022, Healthy Living for ME announced that more than 2,100 Mainers had participated in the network’s falls prevention workshops, with 98% of participants reporting they have made positive changes due to their experience.
In 2022, Healthy Living for ME will mark Falls Prevention Awareness month with several events in addition to the network’s regularly offered falls prevention workshops.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is Sept. 18-24. Healthy Living for ME will hold two public drop-in events to provide free balance assessments and information/resources to Mainers during the week.
Healthy Living for ME will have an exhibit on falls prevention at the Aging in the Right Place Forum in Damariscotta on Friday, Sept. 15.
On Monday, Sept. 19, Healthy Living for ME welcomes people to the Muskie Community Center in Waterville from 10-11:30 a.m. for the balance screening and information drop-in event.
Healthy Living for ME host a wellness break focused on falls prevention at the Maine Council on Aging’s 2022 Wisdom Summit on Sept. 21.
On Thursday, Sept. 22, Healthy Living for ME will be at the Cohen Community Center in Hallowell from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the balance screening and information drop-in event.
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.
For more information, visit www.healthylivingforme.org, call 1-800-620-6036, or email info@healthylivingforme.org.