Frequency Of Fall Victims Alarm West Hartford Emergency Personnel

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, Ct — Local officials are expressing concern at an alarming number of falls that are regularly keeping responders and emergency medical technicians busy.

As a result, the Town of West Hartford has begun an initiative aimed at fall prevention and awareness, especially as it pertains to senior citizens.

The Town of West Hartford, in collaboration with the West Hartford Fire Department, West Hartford Office of Emergency Management, the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District (WHBHD), and West Hartford Social Services, has convened a working group to do just that.

That group is analyzing data from emergency medical responses regarding personal injuries sustained from falls.

"The genesis for this project was born from the newly formed medical resiliency program. This collaborative approach seeks to understand and address the growing concern of fall-related injuries, particularly among older adults," wrote town officials recently.

Key Findings from data collected between 2023-24 include:

• 10% of 911 calls are related to injuries from falls.

• 77% of these calls involve individuals aged 50 and older.

West Hartford Fire Department Chief Greg Priest said the working group is now focusing on identifying common factors that may be contributing to these incidents.

He said the goal is to use the data to develop targeted solutions that could help reduce the rate of falls in the community.

According to Priest, the fall reduction plan includes plans to:

• Survey Individuals: A short, anonymous survey will be distributed to community
members who have experienced a fall in the past year.

The survey will gather important information about the circumstances surrounding the fall, to identify common triggers or conditions that could be mitigated.

• Educational Sessions: The town plans to hold multiple educational sessions focused on fall prevention.

These sessions will be tailored to the age groups most affected (primarily those 50 and older) and will be held at various times and locations throughout the town, including senior centers, libraries, and other community spaces.

• Collaboration with social services and the health department: Social Services and the health district will take an active role in these educational initiatives, providing resources to residents about fall safety and prevention strategies.

This effort is part of a broader community-wide initiative to promote wellness and reduce preventable injuries.

• Wide Outreach: Information about the educational sessions and resources will be
widely shared on the town's website, social services platforms, senior centers, and
library websites to ensure maximum participation.

"The efforts are designed not only to raise awareness about fall safety, but also to engage the
community in developing effective prevention strategies" wrote the town.

" The goal is to create a safer environment for residents and reduce the number of fall-related injuries in West Hartford."

Questions about this program can be referred to Melissa Marquis, medical resiliency
coordinator via email: melissa.marquis@westhartfordct.gov.