Falling is a serious risk for older adults here in Vermont. It’s also one that can be easily mitigated with specific preventative measures.
The Southeastern VT Medical Reserve Corp is a community-based network of volunteers focused on supporting local public health initiatives and emergency response efforts. Two of their volunteer Physical Therapists conduct Fall Clinics locally. Recently, they have held Fall Clinics at The Gathering Place, Windham Housing and Valley Cares. At these one-hour clinics, the therapists discuss “Why We Fall; What Should We Be Doing to Avoid Falling,” including demonstrations, videos, and question and answer sessions. Specifically, the volunteers discuss risk factors, how to get up from a fall, selecting assistive devices, such as the correct cane height, and conduct a 30-second Chair Stand Test.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for elderly Americans (CDC); one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls each year, with a fatality rate of 37%
The tax on our healthcare system is also significant. According to the CDC, the estimated medical cost of elderly falls in the United States is around $50 billion annually, encompassing both non-fatal and fatal falls, with the majority of this cost covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
The Southeastern VT Medical Reserve invites partners to host and market their Fall Clinic presentation to their target audience and family members, as well as to staff. The presentation is at no charge to the organization nor to participants. If you would like to host a presentation, or find out more about upcoming Fall Clinics, please contact Pamela at pamela.corbett@vermont.gov.
The Southeastern VT Medical Reserve Corp and the Vermont Department of Health are collaborating members of the Windham Aging initiative. The Windham Aging initiative provides the strategic vision for systemic change so that older residents of Windham County can age well. The Fall Prevention program is one of many ways collaborators in Windham County aid in this mission.
To find out more about the Windham Aging initiative, please visit https://www.windhamaging.com/
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