Today Is Falls Prevention Awareness Day

One in three Americans aged 65+ falls each year.

Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall.

Every 29 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall.

Together, we can help prevent older adults from falling in their homes.  Through our Safe at Home program, volunteers make accessibility modifications, such as installing grab bars and handrails, which the Centers for Disease Control recommends in order to reduce the risk of falls.  Last year, our incredible volunteers provided these modifications for 74 low-income homeowners.

We would like to recognize the core of our Safe at Home volunteer team: Wesley Anderson, Mariette Cole, Steve Ivancic, and Colin Levine-Horrigan.  Without the hard work of these dedicated volunteers, we would not be able to provide homeowners in need who are older adults or are living with a disability with the modifications they need to live independently and safely in their homes.

If you or someone you know might benefit from our Safe at Home program or if you would like to volunteer for this program, please contact us at SafeAtHome@RebuildingTogether-TwinCities.org or 651-776-4273.

Falls Prevention Awareness Day Is September 22nd

Did you know that one-third of Americans aged 65+ falls each year?  According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall.  Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.

These statistics are staggering, but there are ways we can help prevent older adults from falling in their homes.  For example, the CDC lists home modifications, like installing grab bars and handrails, as one of the top four recommendations for reducing the risk of falls.

September 22nd is Falls Prevention Awareness Day, and we are taking this opportunity to share information with the community about falls prevention and what we can do to help older adults live safely and independently in their homes.  Through our Safe at Home Program, we make minor home safety and accessibility modifications, such as installing grab bars and handrails, for low-income homeowners who are older adults (+55) or individuals living with a disability.  These modifications are provided at no cost for qualified homeowners and can prevent falls, enabling older adults and individuals living with a disability to continue to live safely in their homes for years to come.

If you or someone you know might benefit from our Safe at Home program or if you would like to volunteer for this program, please contact us at SafeAtHome@RebuildingTogether-TwinCities.org or 651-776-4273.

Falls Prevention Awareness Day Is September 22nd!

We are partnering with other local nonprofits to raise awareness about how to prevent falls in the home as part of Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 22nd.  We are collaborating with the Highland Park/West Seventh Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, West 7th Business Association, Metropolitan Area on Aging, Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, Access Solutions, and West 7th Community Center to host a Home Maintenance Fair on Saturday, September 22nd from 10 am until 2 pm at the West 7th Community Center (265 Oneida Street in St. Paul).

This event will provide resources to help older adults live more independently and safely in their homes, including an opportunity to meet with contractors on site and workshops on low-cost/no cost repairs and financial help for homeowners who are older than 55.  The event is free, and prize drawings will be offered, including a special drawing for the first 100 pre-registrants who call with their name and contact information.  To pre-register, please call: 651-690-8938 or email: NorcInfo@JFSSP.org.

As part of our efforts to raise awareness about falls prevention, we also made home safety and accessibility modifications for a St. Paul homeowner in need named Karen on September 13th.  Karen is a former nurse who had a stroke 12 years ago.  With the help of her friends and community members, Karen has been able to revitalize and repair a home that she purchased over the last year.

In order to ensure that Karen can live independently and safely in her home for years to come, we partnered with volunteers from Farmer’s Insurance to install grab bars, a shower seat and a handheld shower unit in her bathroom, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, motion sensor lights and a doorbell. She also received fire evacuation advice with the help of volunteers from the St. Paul Fire Department.  Thanks to the St. Paul Fire Department and community volunteers who came out to help Karen!

Falls Prevention Awareness Day Is September 23rd

Did you know that every 35 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall?  In 2008, about 2.1 million seniors were treated in the emergency room for falls and more than 550,000 of these patients were subsequently hospitalized.  The total cost of all fall injuries for older Americans was $19 billion in 2000.  By 2020, the annual direct and indirect cost of fall injuries is expected to reach $54.9 billion.

These statistics are staggering, but there are ways we can help prevent older adults from falling in their homes.  For example, the Center for Disease Control lists home modifications, like installing grab bars and handrails, as one of the top four recommendations for reducing the risk of falls.

September 23rd is Falls Prevention Awareness Day, and we are taking this opportunity to share information with the community about falls prevention and what we can do to help older adults live safely and independently in their homes.  Through our Safe at Home Program, we make minor home safety and accessibility modifications, such as installing grab bars and handrails, for low-income homeowners who are older adults (+55) or individuals living with a disability.  These modifications are provided at no cost to the homeowner and can prevent falls, enabling older adults and individuals living with a disability to continue to live safely in their homes for years to come.

 

If you or someone you know might benefit from our Safe at Home program or if you would like to volunteer for this program, please contact us at SafeAtHome@RebuildingTogether-TwinCities.org or 651-776-4273.