Hawai‘i Senior Fall Prevention Campaign Launched

The state Department of Health launches a Senior Fall Prevention awareness campaign today.

On average in Hawaiʻi, 94 seniors die each year from fall-related injuries, 1,940 are hospitalized and more than 8,000 are taken to emergency rooms, according to statistics from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Emergency Medical Services & Injury Prevention Branch.

Financially, estimated hospital costs associated with injuries sustained by falls accounting for nearly $120 million a year.

The state’s awareness campaign includes more than two months of public service announcements, free medication reviews, balance tests, tai chi workshops and community presentations to combat the statistics.

“We appreciate the many partners that have come together to increase awareness and prevention of falls among our seniors in Hawaiʻi,” said Dr. Virginia Pressler, DOH Director. “This is an important public health issue and we must raise awareness to prevent the tragedy and hardship that injuries from falls can bring to families in our state.”

The DOH offers the following advice to seniors, their family members and caregivers to prevent falls and fall-related injuries:

• Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medications yearly
• Get an annual eye exam
• If you live alone, get a life-saving Personal Electronic Safety Device
• Make your home safer by removing fall hazards and improving lighting
• Exercise regularly to increase balance and flexibility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exercise programs such as Tai Chi for Health can increase strength and improve balance, making falls much less likely.

“Preventing falls is an important year-round effort,” said Stan Michaels, DOH Fall Prevention Coordinator. “By putting in place a few simple precautions and making basic changes to the home environment, seniors can enjoy life, fall-free.”

Hawaiʻi’s senior fall prevention program was recognized as “the finest public awareness campaign in the nation” at the White House Conference on Aging/ 2016 NCOA National Falls Prevention Resources Conference in Alexandria, Virginia.

The DOH and the Hawaiʻi Fall Prevention Consortium are sponsoring the campaign in collaboration with Foodland Supermarkets, Times Supermarkets, KTA Superstores, Safeway Supermarkets, Kaiser Permanente, the Hawaiʻi Community Pharmacy Association, Project Vision Hawaii and City Mill.

The Hawaiʻi Fall Prevention Consortium was founded in 2003 with support from DOH’s Injury Prevention and Control Program. The consortium includes government agencies, professional associations, non-profit organizations, hospitals, care facilities and senior organizations.

Free Medication Reviews and Balance Tests

According to Catalina Cross, Director of Pharmacy for Times Supermarkets, nearly 220 in-store pharmacists from the Hawaii Community Pharmacy Association and the other organizations will conduct in-store reviews of seniors’ medications, as well as balance tests to determine fall risk and support senior health and well-being.

Project Vision Hawaiʻi Partners with the Fall Prevention Consortium

On Friday, June 16, Project Vision Hawaiʻi and the Fall Prevention Consortium will offer free eye tests and vision screening at the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center from 9 to 11 a.m. Project Vision Hawaiʻi is the state’s only mobile eye and health screening service, bringing fully equipped Vison Vans to locations statewide. Visit the Project Vision Hawaiʻi website at http://www.projectvisionhawaii.org/ for additional information.

“Fall-Proof” Senior Assistive Safety Devices at Home

City Mill in Kaimuki will host “meet-and-greet” sessions with the public on July 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to offer home safety recommendations. City Mill in Pearl City will hold a similar event on July 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Home safety specialists from the DOH will be present at both events to answer questions about the latest senior assistive safety devices to help make a home as “fall-proof” as possible.

Tai Chi for Arthritis/Fall Prevention Classes

From June to August, Tai Chi for Health, arthritis and fall prevention classes will be offered at more than 33 locations statewide. For more information, call (808) 733-9202 or go to the DOH website at: http://health.hawaii.gov/injuryprevention/home/preventing-falls/tai-chi/.