The severity of falls for seniors is vastly underrated.
According to data from Harvard Health, falls send adults over 65 to the emergency room approximately every 11 seconds. The CDC says a senior dies from one approximately every 19 minutes.
The Shoal Valley offers some of the best senior living in Kansas City, Missouri. It provides a mix of upscale amenities and historical buildings for seniors to explore with their loved ones.
Falls are so common in senior populations that there's now a nationwide effort to prevent them. Read on to learn more about Fall Prevention Week and how you can participate from wherever you are.
Fall Prevention Week is also known as Fall Prevention Awareness Week. The National Falls Prevention Center created it.
It's now observed nationwide on the first week of Autumn, which lasts from September 22 to September 26 in 2025. It includes nationwide initiatives to educate people about fall causes and prevention strategies.
Avoiding falls in seniors means preventing serious injuries. They can lead to hospital stays or serious injuries, resulting in decreased mobility or even death.
An initiative like Fall Prevention Week also encourages interaction with the seniors in a community. It fosters a sense of togetherness and helps alleviate the loneliness that can be prevalent in elderly populations.
Tai Chi is one of the best balance exercises. It improves health through specialized moves.
They increase balance but also reduce pain associated with conditions such as arthritis. They also improve muscle strength and personal confidence.
Other balance exercises for seniors include:
Repeat all of these movements five times. Begin repeating them ten times, twice a day. Hold them for 10 seconds, then gradually increase to 30 seconds. Once you get comfortable with them, you can try doing them with your eyes closed.
Mobility support for seniors starts with assistance devices such as:
Handrails and grab rails can make areas like bathrooms easier to use. If a house is two stories, chair lifts can prevent falls going up or down the stairs.
Senior safety tips for avoiding falls involve every part of their life. It begins with understanding their risk and progresses to adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Seniors face a higher risk of falls due to factors like low bone and muscle mass. Other potential risk factors include:
Knowing what your risk factors are is an important part of fall prevention. If lifestyle factors make you more likely to fall, you can change them. If you have a chronic condition that needs managing, you know what you should discuss with your doctor.
You can also obtain a fall risk assessment. It's an easy way to check for new risk factors, and you can do it every year.
Get regular health checkups, especially for your vision and hearing. Any vision or hearing problems make a fall much more likely.
Fall prevention starts at home. Eliminate clutter and tripping hazards. Use non-slip mats and secure any rugs.
Ensure proper lighting throughout your environment to avoid slipping on unseen objects. Use switches that glow in the dark and are easy to reach.
Take care of the outside as well. Fall Prevention Week occurs in the fall, so remember to remove piles of leaves that fall off the trees.
Wearing the wrong shoes is an easy way to trigger a fall. Make sure they're fitted for you and aren't slippery.
It's also essential to take care of your feet. Cut your nails when they get too long and go to the podiatrist for any foot health concerns.
One of the simplest fall prevention activities is spending time with friends and family.
Recent data from the National Poll on Aging reveals that about 33% of seniors report feelings of loneliness or isolation. This harms their mental health and can lead to inactivity, which weakens muscles and bones.
Senior living communities are proud to be a part of Fall Prevention Week.
A key method they employ to mitigate fall risk is establishing a safe environment. Residents enjoy maintenance-free living. All their clutter is taken care of for them.
The additional steps taken depend on the type of community.
Assisted living in Kansas City, MO, offers a balance of independence and support. These communities help residents who struggle with activities of daily living, such as:
Having staff on hand for these activities ensures seniors don't fall in the process of trying to do them alone.
A study by the Fischer's Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation showed a connection between falls and cognitive decline.
Their data showed that approximately 10.6% of patients hospitalized for falls developed Alzheimer's. They also found that falls increase dementia risk by approximately 21%.
The right senior living community can help mitigate the risk. Memory care in Kansas City can support seniors with cognitive decline.
They often face the highest risk for falls due to their propensity to become confused or wander. Supportive staff are always on hand to keep this from happening.
The design of communities can help reduce fall risk. They're made to be less overwhelming for residents.
Fall Prevention Week is an initiative at the beginning of Autumn meant to emphasise the importance of preventing falls. It's an essential part of senior care, no matter where you are.
Addington Place of Shoal Creek gives our residents more than a home to stay in ; we give them a community to thrive in.
Each home is customizable. You're always only a few steps away from exciting amenities and relaxing outdoor spaces.
Our community offers assisted living and memory care options with always-available support staff. Contact us today to learn more about our community.