Altercare Coshocton joins statewide “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” campaign

September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and Altercare Coshocton helped the Ohio Department of Aging take “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls.”

The annual campaign encourages Ohioans of all ages to walk at least 1 mile during the month of September.

An adult age 65 or older falls every second of the day in the U.S., and approximately 1-in-3 Ohioans age 65 and older fall each year. Eighty percent of falls in the home occur in the bathroom. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations and death for older adults.

Risk factors for falling include lack of physical activity, poor balance, chronic health conditions (diabetes, COPD, depression, obesity, et cetera), use of multiple medications, poor nutrition, reduced vision, foot pain or poor footwear, home hazards, and fear of falling.

The good news is falls are not a normal part of aging, and most falls can be prevented. Walking is one of the simplest ways older adults can prevent falls.