Post Messenger Recorder -

Falls may not seem an obvious topic for a casual gathering of active older adults. But mention the subject, and it quickly takes center stage. For one person, it’s the story of an older relative whose fear of falling keeps them homebound. For another, it’s their worry about a spouse who won’t admit that falling has become a problem. No matter the variety of personal experiences, however, everyone will agree: older adults don’t want to become a fall-injury statistic.

And their concern is well placed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that falls are by far the most common cause of accidental injury for older adults in the US. Each year, 2.3 million adults over 65 has a fall, leading to serious injuries in about 1 in 3 cases. At a local level, the picture is even more grim. If you are over 65, just living in Wisconsin increases your risk of dying from an accidental fall by more than twice the national average, according to CDC data. Icy winters and the state’s high standards for tracking fall-related injuries don’t fully explain the startling statistic. Public health experts say that’s made it difficult to address the causes of the disparity.

Beyond the scary numbers, however, there’s another side to falls that older adults need to know. “Falls are preventable and they are not a normal part of aging,” says Betsy Abramson of the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. Abramson’s organization supports training and research for falls prevention programs in Wisconsin communities, including a class called Stepping On. “Studies in Wisconsin have shown Stepping On reduced participants’ likelihood of falling by 30% after taking the class. That’s a lot of bruises, or even more serious injuries that people avoided. It very good news because it shows older adults there are effective ways to protect themselves from falls.”

“Nobody wants to fall,” says Laura Steiner, Wellness & Prevention Specialist who leads Stepping On. “People want to be proactive, but they need to know how to recognize their risk in the first place. Classes like Stepping On make people aware of hazards they take for granted at home or out in the community. Instead of scaring them, though, Stepping On puts the problem-solving in their hands. Participants come out of the workshop having more confidence.”

Stepping On workshops meet two hours, once a week, for seven weeks. Participants hear from community safety experts like physical therapists, pharmacists, police officers, and vision specialists, and learn exercises to improve balance and build strength. “People have fun,” Steiner says. “You can always tell where the Stepping On class is from the clapping and laughing.”

Anyone over 60 who has fallen, or is concerned about falling, should consider taking a Stepping On workshop. The next class will be held at Zwingli United Church of Christ, 416 E. Lake Avenue in Monticello, on Thursdays from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The class will run from April 14th through May 26th. This class is free of charge! Pre-registration is necessary to determine eligibility, so be sure to sign up today by calling the ADRC at (608) 328-9499. To learn more about Stepping On, visit Green County’s ADRC website at https://adrcgreencounty.org.