This year marks the 16th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Week for older adults. The initiative, running from September 18th through September 22nd, raises awareness on the national public health concern for older adults and the serious injuries caused by a trip or fall.
To honor Falls Prevention Awareness Week and show his commitment to making NYC an age-inclusive city, Mayor Eric Adams announced that City Hall, among other NYC buildings, will light up yellow tonight.
“Since day one, our administration has been proud to put policies in place that ensure older New Yorkers can live independently and safely,” said Mayor Adams. “Falls Prevention Awareness Week is an opportunity for us to come together as a city and inform our older residents about the ways they can keep themselves safe and prevent themselves from falling, while simultaneously continuing to be a national example of how to be an age-inclusive city.”
Other building to illuminate yellow tonight include: Bronx Borough Hall, The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building, and the Staten Island Borough Hall. Lights will be visible starting at sundown.
“When an older adult falls, it is not just the injuries that have a detrimental effect on the individual — there are also aftereffects that can have serious consequences,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “Fortunately, older adults can learn how to prevent falls, and I encourage them to participate in the activities being offered at older adult centers this week and throughout the year.”
Yearly, around 37 million falls occur in older adults, resulting in 3 million emergency department visits, shares the CDC Foundation. Yet, “falling is not a natural part of aging” they wrote.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week hopes to empower older adults to take the necessary actions to reduce their risk of falls. The National Council on Aging released six steps to prevent falls. They can be seen below:
- Find a balance or exercice program
- Talk to your doctor
- Review your medications
- Get your vision and hearing checked
- Keep your home safe
- Talk with your family
“Whether you yourself are an older adult or know a loved one who is, there are many safe, effective steps to take to limit the risk for falls. Reach out to the Department for the Aging and local community organizations to learn more about these strategies and help us keep every older adult that calls New York City home safe and healthy,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom.