Village Of New Lenox: 'One Fall Could Change It All' In Support Of Older Adults Falls Prevention Week

NEW LENOX, IL — The Village of New Lenox and its Safe Community Coalition/Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group, with the support of New Lenox VFW Post 9545, is pleased to announce that the 2022 “One Fall Could Change It All” event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 22 at New Lenox VFW Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory Road.

Sept. 22 is the first day of fall. As we usher in the season, it is also the beginning of National Older Adults Falls Prevention Awareness Week, a nation-wide effort to raise awareness that falls are preventable.

As states are encouraged to provide education and screening activities to raise awareness of the impact of falls on older adults, our New Lenox Safe Community Coalition and its Older Adult Falls Prevention Task Group is planning to do just that.

“One Fall Could Change It All,” also considered a Healthy Aging Fair, will provide seniors with a free breakfast, entertainment, and a variety of vendors that will offer health screenings, education, and other services.

The featured entertainment will include some older adult members of the New Lenox Cloggin’ Craze, and an interactive demonstration of “A Matter of Balance” exercises.

Throughout the morning we will be giving away door prizes to keep the fun going. At 10:30 a.m., Lori Gibson, director of business development at Home for Life, will provide a presentation on falls prevention in the home, with practical solutions to prevent falls.

It’s known that falls are the primary cause of injury-related ER visits and accidental deaths in people over the age of 65. Sixty-seven percent of falls don’t happen from a height, but rather when individuals slip or trip.

As people age, they’re more susceptible to broken bones after a fall. Side effects from medications can contribute to the increased risk of falling. Physical inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic is linked to falls in the older adult population. Unfortunately, the list goes on, which underscores the importance of this event.

To learn more about fall prevention strategies, participate in health and balance screenings, enjoy a free breakfast, learn about exercises that can help prevent falls and a chance to win some great raffle prizes, please join us.

For additional information, please contact Daniel Martin, Safe Community Coordinator, Village of New Lenox at (815) 462-6493 or email dmartin@newlenox.net.

This press release was produced by the Village of New Lenox. The views expressed here are the author’s own.