The Ohio Department of Health in collaboration with the CDC is supporting a program called STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries) that focuses on falls. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths for Ohioans age 65 and older. There are over 1000 fatal falls per year in this elderly population in Ohio alone.

What can you do to prevent falls?

1.     Exercise to improve balance and strength

2.     Have healthcare providers review all medicines

3.     Have regular vision checks and update your eyeglasses accordingly

4.     Make the home safer

These are very incomplete and generic recommendations (more info available at www.cdc.gov/injury/STEADI) but awareness of the ways to avoid falls may prevent the death or disability of a loved one or yourself.