Take a Walk on National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to Help Stop Older Adult Falls

Fifth-annual “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” calls on communities, individuals to walk a mile and raise awareness

Columbus, Ohio – Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. The Ohio Department of Aging is marking the day with its fifth-annual “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls.” The campaign, sponsored by the department’s STEADY U Ohio falls prevention initiative, recruits community partners to organize and host walking groups and events. Participants will contribute toward a statewide goal of having at least 4,000 people walk a mile each in the name of fall prevention.

“Your participation in ‘10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls’ can make a big difference in the lives of older adults in your community,” said Ursel J. McElroy, director of the department. “You can help us raise awareness that falls are not inevitable as we age. Healthy habits, like regular physical activity, coupled with changes to your home and conversations with your health care providers, can significantly reduce your risk.”

Visit www.aging.ohio.gov/steadyu/10MillionSteps for a complete list of walking events and groups throughout the month. If you don’t see an event near your community, consider organizing your own and register to add it to the list. The Department of Aging will announce the results of “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” in early October.

Visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov for older adult falls prevention tips and resources.

 

View a list of community walking groups and events scheduled for National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, Monday, Sept. 23.