May is Older Americans Month – a perfect time to highlight how WeTHRIVE!℠ community teams help residents THRIVE at any age. By offering fall prevention programs, teams tackle critical health and safety concerns. Just as important, the programs foster social connection, addressing the public health crisis of loneliness and isolation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older.
The Division of Epidemiology and Assessment at Hamilton County Public Health reports that in Hamilton County in 2024, among those age 65 and older…
- Falls led to 12,261 visits to hospital emergency departments;
- 53 people died as a result of an unintentional fall or a health condition resulting or originating from a fall.
Falls are preventable, even as we age
But falling is not a normal part of aging, emphasizes Judy Eschman, Vice President – Community & Business Operations with the Council on Aging (COA), a WeTHRIVE! partner. COA’s evidence-based fall prevention programs help older adults learn practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling while also increasing their physical activity.
COA has three programs that focus on fall prevention:
- A Matter of Balance emphasizes practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling, while gently increasing activity levels.
- Bingocize–Fall Prevention lets participants enjoy a game of bingo as they learn strategies and do exercises focused on fall prevention.
- Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention improves flexibility, muscle strength, posture, and balance. (For a peek inside a COA Tai Chi class, take a look at this WCPO news story!)
A key part of COA’s fall prevention programs? They’re led by people who understand the challenges participants may be facing, because they are living with them as well. “This model encourages peer discussion and engagement,” Judy says.
To learn more about COA’s health and wellness programs, watch this short video.
Green Township partners with COA
Fall prevention is a popular topic around the Green Township Senior Center. Director Catherine Salamone is also a member of the Green Township WeTHRIVE! team. They brought COA’s Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention to the Center.
“It really helps to improve balance and core strength, which in turn helps to prevent falls,” Catherine notes. “For seniors, staying active both physically and socially helps them become stronger and helps greatly in reducing falls.”
The Green Township WeTHRIVE! team is also working with the Green Township Fire Department to address fall prevention when responding to emergency calls in the homes of older residents.
Golf Manor embraces COA programs
The Golf Manor WeTHRIVE! team has held all three COA fall prevention workshops – A Matter of Balance, Bingocize-Fall Prevention, and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. (They’ve also hosted several other COA health and wellness classes.)
Pat Lalesnel, WeTHRIVE! neighborhood navigator for Golf Manor, says they’ve had about ten people complete each program and that the community appreciates the offerings.
Gwen Chesser, WeTHRIVE! neighborhood navigator for Golf Manor, participated in Tai Chi and A Matter of Balance. She says Tai Chi is “a gentle exercise to help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance. You learn to control your breathing as you do the moves. It improves your body function and energy flows through your body.”
Gwen says A Matter of Balance helped her learn ways to reduce the risk of falling, while also improving strength and flexibility. “You learn to look around your house and remove items that you could possibly trip over, like rugs or electric cords; try to remove clutter in paths where you need to walk; and use night lights in case you have to get up at night.”
“I learned something in both classes and I think not only seniors but everyone can benefit from them,” Gwen adds.
Stepping On from PWC
People Working Cooperatively (PWC) is another WeTHRIVE! partner that addresses fall prevention in Hamilton County. PWC’s Whole Home Modification program offers the evidence-based Stepping On fall prevention program.
Lisa Capannari, Outreach and Education Coordinator for Whole Home Modifications, says Stepping On was developed in Australia and Americanized in Wisconsin, through the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. The seven-week workshop helps older adults recognize their risk of falling and build the balance, strength, and practical skills needed to avoid falls.
“Folks who fully engage in Stepping On are statistically 30 percent less likely to fall after completing the workshop,” Lisa says.
She adds, “PWC is a construction company by nature, so we are in a position to offer an enhanced version of Stepping On to full participants. This includes a home assessment completed by an Aging in Place Specialist and the installation of a modest safety enhancement, like a grab bar in the bathroom or a second banister to the basement.”
For more information on Stepping On, see this flyer. Lisa notes that there used to be an age requirement to participate, but now all ages are welcome.
North Bend and Miami Township partner with PWC
The WeTHRIVE! teams in North Bend and Miami Township brought PWC’s Stepping On workshop series to the Miami Township Senior Center last fall. Center Director and WeTHRIVE! team member Karen Herbert heard lots of positive feedback from those who participated.
Some of the participants’ comments include:
- “I learned so much more than I thought I would. It was fun and enjoyable at the same time.”
- “The program builds confidence to be independent and stay engaged in life. You WILL learn something!”
- “The presenters had lots of good information and the other participants added useful information and good questions.”
Fall prevention is part of WeTHRIVE!’s Injury Prevention Pathway. Learn more here.
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