Fall Prevention Week Events to Empower Seniors

Allentown, PA – Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. And every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. In fact, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans.
 
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that one in four older adults falls each year. However, most falls can be prevented, and it’s the mission of our local Fall Prevention Coalition to ensure seniors and their caregivers have the education and resources that they need to reduce their risk for falls,” said Carmen Bell, Director, Healthy Aging, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
 
In honor of Fall Prevention Week, members of the Fall Prevention Coalition will host a series of free events. These events are open to the public and include balance screenings, fitness classes and resource fairs aimed to empower seniors to fall-proof their homes and prevent disabling and fatal falls.
 
Friday, September 20, 2019
Lehigh Valley Active Life: Kickoff to Fall Prevention Week.
1663 West Elm St, Allentown, PA 18102
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
(610) 437-3700
Representatives from LVHN and Griswold Homecare will present in efforts to teach at home techniques to help prevent falls at home.
 
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Lehigh Valley Health Network Annual 50+ Wellness Expo
Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, Kasych Family Pavilion
200 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
To register, call 888-402-LVHN.
LVHN’s free annual 50+ Wellness Expo features information about promoting health and preventing falls; blood pressure, balance and other health screenings; raffle, giveaways, and healthy snacks; free flu shots (subject to availability), and free valet parking
 
Monday, September 23, 2019
Lehigh Valley Health Network Safe Steppin’ Program
Episcopal House, 1440 Walnut St, Allentown, PA 18102
1-3 p.m.
Representatives from LVHN and Griswold Homecare will present in efforts to teach at home techniques to help prevent falls at home.  
 
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Transformation Rehabilitation: Fall Prevention Exercises
3722 Lehigh St. Whitehall, PA 18052
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Representatives from Transformation Rehabilitation will present in efforts to teach exercises that will help avoid falls.
 
Friday, September 27, 2019
ManorCare
1265 S. Cedar Crest Blvd Allentown 18103
11 a.m.  Standing Together Against Falls Presentation
1 p.m. Ready, Steady, Balance Presentation
Representatives from ManorCare will present in efforts to teach the importance of understanding the danger of falls for older adults.
 
Fall Prevention Photo Contest
The National Council on Aging wants to see your high-quality photos of falls prevention work! Enter the 2019 Falls Prevention Photo Contest to win prizes.
Deadline: Entries must be submitted by October 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 
Submit here.
 
Fall Prevention Classes presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network
St. Luke's Senior Care Associates
5445 Lanark Rd.-Suite 200, Center Valley PA 18034
Thursday, September 26 to Thursday, November 14
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

A coalition of Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley, the Fall Prevention Coalition works with health care specialists including physicians, first responders, hospitals and non-profit organizations to implement fall prevention programs to help reduce this problem.