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City Department for the Aging, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Partners, Announce Events to Help Older New Yorkers Stay Safe During Falls Prevention Awareness Week 2022
In-person and online events have been organized all week to show older
New Yorkers, caregivers and others to share fall prevention tips
New York, NY – In recognition of the annual Falls Prevention Awareness Week, the Department for the Aging, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and local health partners are hosting in-person and online events across the city to keep older New Yorkers safe and healthy by providing them information and tips on preventing and reducing falls. With the city fully reopened, many older New Yorkers are once again attending events, commuting to work, and participating in activities. The information they receive during this week can help ensure they remain safe when they in the home or out-and-about.
The annual Falls Prevention Awareness Week will be held from Monday, September 19th to Friday, September 23rd. Nationally, there are about three-million visits to the emergency department each year as the result of older adult falls, and falls continue to be a leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. In New York City, approximately 30,000 older residents visit emergency departments each year because of a fall.
When an older American falls, it may not just result in a serious injury, but could result in immobility and a loss of ability to conduct everyday activities. Worse yet, some falls could result in death. We must continue to provide older New Yorkers with the information they need to take the necessary steps to protect themselves,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “An equitable city means that every New Yorker has the right to feel and remain safe and healthy. I encourage older New Yorkers to join the in-person and online events taking place all week to ensure they have everything they need to age with dignity.”
“Being able to age in dignity means having the means to stay safe and healthy wherever you may be, and making sure older New Yorkers know how to prevent themselves from falling is vital to our goal” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “The events taking place this week are fun, engaging and provide an opportunity for New Yorkers to see for themselves that they are not alone. I look forward to seeing them in-person and online all week long.”
“As a primary care doctor, preventing falls in older patients is one of the most important thing I can do to protect their health” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “We’re proud to partner with Department for the Aging during Falls Prevention Awareness Week to promote safe and healthy aging among New Yorkers.”
The educational events will help inform the public what they can do to prevent falls. Topics will include physical activity programs to promote strength and balance, talking with a health care provider about medications and side effects, what to do at home to find and fix trip and fall hazards, and the relationship between hearing, balance and falls, a timely topic with the new opportunity to purchase hearing aids over the counter.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is being spearheaded in New York City by the New York City Falls Prevention Coalition, co-chaired by the New York City Department for the Aging and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The coalition includes representatives from government, nonprofit and health care organizations, and its goal is to promote and implement proven and promising strategies to reduce the incidence and burden of falls among older adults.
The week will culminate with a celebration on Friday, September 23rd outside 1 Centre Street, where there will be featured speakers, a Tai Chi demonstration, hearing screenings and much more.
To see a full list of events, and to sign up for them, visit the online Falls Prevention Awareness Week 2022 schedule.
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About the Department for the Aging
The New York City Department for the Aging works to eliminate ageism and ensure the dignity and quality of life of New York City's diverse 1.7 million older adults. DFTA also works to support caregivers through service, advocacy, and education. DFTA is the largest area agency on aging in the United States.