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Falls Prevention Month and Day Testimonials
The following entries are brief summaries of past Falls Prevention Awareness Month events that have taken place in various Wisconsin communities.
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Brown County
In the fall of 2009 the ADRC of Brown County partnered with local physical therapists to hold a Stepping On Reunion. Past Stepping On participants heard from Dr. Jane Mahoney about research surrounding fall prevention programs, received a review of exercises from local physical therapists, and learned about the importance of calcium and vitamin D and how to accurately calculate daily requirements. Attendees found the event to be “very helpful” and the event also allowed the professionals involved to see the positive effects of their efforts. A light lunch and in-kind donations were provided by the ADRC of Brown County and the employers of the physical therapists in attendance. The event was well attended. The event planners would advise other organizations planning similar events to start the planning as soon as possible to secure a key-note speaker and to have a professional seated at every table to help reinforce information from the presentations.
Madison Senior Center
The Madison Senior Center regularly hosts a registered nurse and case manager to speak to older adults about preventing falls. They gave tips about what a person could do to improve safety in his or her own home and environment. The event was free to community members.
Hart Park Senior Center and Nutrition Site – Wauwatosa
Hart Park Senior Center hosted a “Why Don’t I Bounce?” lecture presented by a local professional. Attendees received information about falls and falls prevention through lecture and demonstration and were able to register for fitness classes. Additionally, the Hart Park Senior Center held weekly TaiChi, Arthritis Foundation Exercise and yoga classes. The event and classes were advertised through newsletters and flyers and over 60 senior participated in the lecture and/or exercise classes. Advice from the planners includes using a large room and ensuring the main speaker works well for senior audiences.
Wood County Falls Prevention Coalition and Partnership for Healthy Aging
Local falls prevention coalitions from Marathon and Wood counties partnered up with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin (ADRC-CW) to host a “Take Steps to Live Fall Free” Falls Screening Event in three communities. Event activities included balance/strength, blood pressure and glucose screenings, medication checks by a pharmacist, a medication clean sweep and demonstrations of fitness classes. The event also included exhibits from podiatrists, home care clinics, fire departments, home repair programs and senior centers. The events were advertised through flyers, mailings, e-mails, radio, newsletters, newspaper articles and public presentations. By establishing partnerships the coalitions were able to receive donations and in-kind support from the ADRC-CW, local senior centers, and other organizations present at the event. The events were a huge success by reaching over 100 seniors in Marathon and Wood Counties. Wood County Falls Prevention Coalition and Partnership for Healthy Aging hope to make their 2010 Falls Prevention Awareness Month even more successful by continuing to work with other community organizations and teaming up with other local events.
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