In recognition of Seniors Fall Prevention Awareness Week, Health Minister Terry Lake announced last week that a $4.5-million grant through the Provincial Health Services Authority to the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility for programs to help prevent falls and hip fractures in older adults and enhance mobility though early intervention.
Research shows that 50 per cent of falls in frail populations can be reduced through strength and balance training. This funding will enable the expansion of programs throughout the province, in order to:
• Support fall prevention among the most vulnerable older adults in British Columbia through outreach to family physicians and/or allied health workers.
• Develop tools for health authorities to address the risk of secondary fractures in seniors with osteoporosis.
• Increase mobility of less active seniors through education and awareness, tailored programs, and the development of tools to create safe and healthy communities.
• Assess and intervene with “at risk” older adults living at home using a mobile laboratory to prevent falls and fractures from occurring.
The funding will also support programs that provide effective community services for patients in rural and remote communities, including First Nations communities.
Learn more about falls prevention and mobility at www.hiphealth.ca
While not related to this program, there is a free community education session on how to stop slips, trips and falls at the South Cariboo Health Centre (Multipurpose Room, 555 Cedar Ave., 100 Mile House) on Nov. 17 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Learn practical prevention strategies from nursing, optometry, dietitian, social work, physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals. For more information, call Kaitlynn at 250-395-7676, ext. 5056.