9-17-2024 7:16pm

Free, Falls-Prevention Events To Be Offered at County-Operated Senior Wellness Centers

Donnella Tilery Editor

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – Somerset County residents, age 60+, and their caregivers are invited to attend “Aging Well and Balanced: Falls Prevention Screening & Education for Older Adults.’’ These free health and wellness events are happening at all six county-operated senior wellness centers in September, which is recognized as Fall Prevention Month. At these events, participants will receive balance screenings, valuable resources, and education about safety tips for fall prevention. Pre-registration is requested. Click here to view a list of dates and times for each event.

About the Falls Prevention Events
Healthcare professionals will be providing balance, vision, and sensory screenings as well as education about home safety and fall prevention topics such as osteoporosis, incontinence management, and medication. Participants will be screened for any balance related issues using the following assessments “Timed Up and Go” (TUG), “30-Second Sit-Stand Test,” and “Single Leg Stance Test.” Participants will receive the results of their screenings to share with their healthcare professionals.

Why Attend a Falls Prevention Event?
Although falling is not a normal part of aging, more than one out of four Americans aged 65 and older fall yearly, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fear of falling contributes to an increased risk of falling and can interfere with the completion of activities in the home and community. Caregivers and older adults will benefit from attending these fall-prevention events.

For more information and to pre-register, call Karen Z. Kowalski at 908-704-6327 or email kkowalski@co.somerset.nj.us.

Sponsors of the Falls Prevention Events
The National Council on Aging and the county-operated senior wellness centers, managed by the Office on Aging and Disability Services, is offering a variety of fall prevention events to support safety within the home and community. The Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Servicesis committed to empowering all older adults to age well and remain free from falls. To celebrate National Fall Prevention Month,

About the Senior Centers
The six county-operated senior centers, managed by the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services, allow people ages 60 years and above to participate in wellness and education programs and offer four healthy menu choices daily.