Fall Prevention & Resource Page

May Fall Prevention Series is here

We are so fortunate to have Julie Smith of Sebastopol, a retired physical therapist and one of our SAIL instructors, leading our Senior Center’s Health Advisory Committee. The Committee is comprised of local medical professionals (Sandra Bodley, Sally Gallo, John Johnson, Allan Bernstein, Annette Shearer & Mitch Savitsky) that share the Senior Center’s mission of stimulating healthy, happy and mobile elders living in the community for as long as possible. Every member shares a passion about keeping people aged 60 and over as healthy as possible. The program takes place twice a year!

Our SAIL classes are designed for balance issues (STAY ACTIVE and INDEPENDENT for LIFE)

  • Chair SAIL with Annette on Zoom - Tues & Thur at 11am

  • SAIL Balance with Julie - Tues & Thur at 3:30pm

  • Chair- Stand SAIL with Campbell - Wed at 3:30pm

  • Chair- Stand SAIL with Vickie - Friday at 3:30pm

Falls can be prevented

These are some simple things you can do to keep yourself from falling. Sourced from CDC website

Make Your Home Safer

  • Get rid of things you could trip over.

  • Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.

  • Put railings on both sides of stairs.

  • Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.

  • Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool.

  • Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.

Talk to Your Doctor

  • Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do.

  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines.

Do Strength and Balance Exercises

Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.

Have Your Eyes Checked

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.

If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

Videos from our 2023 Lecture Series

Facts About Falls

Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.

Falls—and the injuries and deaths they cause—are increasing. Learn how you can prevent falls. Learn more

Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent. However, falls don’t have to be inevitable as you age. You can reduce your chance of falling or help a loved one prevent falls. There are proven ways to reduce and prevent falls, even for older adults. We identify older adults as anyone 65 years and older.

  • Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 34,000 deaths in 2019, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group.

  • In 2019, the emergency department recorded 3 million visits for older adult falls.

  • Older adult falls cost $50 billion in medical costs annually, with 3/4 paid by Medicare and Medicaid.