Help take a stand against falls in Holmes, Wayne counties
Falls in the 60 and over population have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with Holmes and Wayne counties also feeling the effects of this mostly preventable epidemic.
Combined falls data from Holmes and Wayne counties through the years of 2018-22 saw a recorded total of 9,554 per 100,000 ER visits due to a fall-related injury within the 60 and over population. Wayne County is one of the top 10 counties in Ohio for largest number of fall-related deaths.
The Falls Prevention Program of Holmes & Wayne, operating under the guidance of the Holmes County General Health District, is taking steps to change these statistics within the region.
The Falls Prevention Program of Holmes & Wayne and the Standing Against Falls Coalition have created a Falls Self-Inspection Checklist for Holmes and Wayne county businesses, agencies and faith-based establishments to guide falls prevention efforts in the 60 and over population that frequent the business or agency. The Falls Self-Inspection Checklist is intended only as an educational service. It is offered solely as a guide to aid in falls prevention efforts, but the agency is encouraged to make environmental changes as it can.
Businesses, agencies and faith-based establishments can call or email Kerry MacQueen, health educator and injury prevention coordinator at the Holmes County General Health District, for a Letter of Commitment and Falls Self-Inspection Checklist at 330-674-5035 ext. 251 or kmacqueen@holmeshealth.org.
After the checklist has been completed, the business or agency is asked to email a copy of the Letter of Commitment and Checklist to MacQueen, who will send a Falls-Free Holmes County or Falls-Free Wayne County decal, depending on the location of the site, that will be placed at the entrance of the establishment to help promote and recognize falls prevention efforts in the 60 and over population.