LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – One in three Ohioans over 65 falls each year, but there are ways to help prevent that from happening.
The Area Agency on Aging 3 held its seventh annual Fall Prevention Awareness Day and Health Fair. Several community partners were on hand to talk to attendees about their services, and presentations focused on small changes people can make at home to eliminate fall risks. Organizers hope that by learning the right steps now, residents can prevent a fall later.
“That's what's great about this event. It gives you all kinds of ideas, just even getting your eyes checked, getting your hearing checked, going to your doctor, regularly attending physical therapy, and obviously keeping up with those exercises. We're kind of stressing that today, but there are so many things you can do to prevent falling, and it doesn't need to happen. And a lot of time falling is preventable," said Kathy Hounshell, Health Education Coordinator, Area Agency on Aging 3.
Jim Stewart has been taking classes and recommends people of all ages learn more about fall prevention.
“Kathy has been teaching a class here for quite a while at Primrose, and we finished our eighth class on Monday, and we've learned quite a bit from preventing a fall. She's taught us quite a bit. I recommend everybody take a class on preventing falling,” said Jim Stewart, who took fall prevention classes.
Ohio Northern’s Health Wise also attended the health fair, offering bone density screenings, blood pressure checks, flu shots and more. For more information about Fall Prevention Classes, contact the Area Agency on Aging 3.
