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The first day of autumn (or fall) is Fall Prevention Awareness Week. More than just a pun, the purpose of this day is to address falls as a public health issue and remind people about simple things we can do to prevent falls. More than one in four older adults fall each year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five falls leads to serious injury. In addition to broken bones and hip fractures, falls are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Worse yet, falling once increases the chance of falling again.  

Fall prevention tips  

We’ve covered fall prevention tips on the blog before. Click the links below for past blog entries covering factors that put us at risk of falls and how to lessen your chances of falling: 

• Fall Prevention 
• Tis the season…for fall prevention 

Local resources 

• Home resources 
  • CSSW Home Maintenance & Safety Services offers support with minor home repairs and safety modifications such as grab bars and shower chairs. 
  • Habitat for Humanity’s Aging in Place Home Improvement Program offers home safety modifications such as handrails, grab bars, and ramps.

• Medication management– talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about your medication. 
  • BetterMyMeds offers medication review and other services. 
  • Some local pharmacies offer medication evaluation  
    • Ann Arbor Pharmacy 
    • Ann Arbor Professional Pharmacy 
    • Jensen’s Community Pharmacy 

• Fall prevention classes  
  • Matter of Balance @ the Saline Area Senior Center. Classes run from 9:30-11:30am on Tuesdays from September 19th– November 7th and are offered free of cost. Call (734) 429-9274 for more information.  
    • The Saline Area Senior Center is also offering balance assessments from Probility Physical Therapy on Friday, September 8th & Friday, October 13th, 1:00-2:00pm. Assessments are $10. Call the center for more information. 
  • Check the Area Agency on Aging 1-B’s website for more information about fall prevention classes in your community.

Stay safe this fall!