Virtual Walk Across Holmes County in September
The Falls Prevention Program of the Holmes County Health District and the Standing Against Falls Coalition will host a virtual Walk Across Holmes County during the month of September to raise falls awareness in the 60 and over population.
The Falls Prevention Program of the Holmes County Health District and the Standing Against Falls Coalition will host a virtual Walk Across Holmes County during September to raise falls awareness in the 60 and over population.
“In 2022 we set an overall walking goal of 4,000 miles. Unfortunately, we fell short of this goal by walking 2,015 miles, but every mile that was walked supported the importance of daily physical activity in preventing falls, and that is something to celebrate,” said Kerry MacQueen, Holmes County General Health District injury prevention coordinator/health educator. “We had 130 individuals who participated in the seven trail walks and 36 individuals who signed up for Walk Across Holmes County. Our top five walkers during WAHC had a combined total of 702.2 miles walked. Our 2023 goal is 2,500 miles and can be easily obtained with your help.”
MacQueen said the trail walks will be offered at various sites throughout Holmes County to introduce citizens of all ages to the trails in Holmes County. “We will also have our special Patriotic Falls Walk and Health Fair during National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. It is all about getting physically active together to prevent falls,” she said.
MacQueen said participants can come to all or even just one of the trail walks at any time and for any distance.
“Walk as far as you want to,” she said. “Individuals can use their steps taken during the walk to go towards the Walk Across Holmes County goal. If you prefer not to register for the Walk Across Holmes County but would still like to participate in a trail walk, that is just fine. We will give you a pedometer to use to track those steps so they can be applied towards our September walking goal.
“One of the first steps in preventing falls is to become physically active, which is why these trail walks are so important because it gets individuals out moving.”
The Falls Prevention Program of the Holmes County Health District and the Standing Against Falls Coalition are partnering with the Ohio Department of Aging, the Ohio Department of Health and the National Council on Aging to mark National Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Sept. 17-23 and promote that falls are not a normal part of aging.
“We will be having three trail walks that week including our seventh annual Patriotic Falls Walk and Health Fair, which will be held on Sept. 21, which is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, from 10 a.m. to noon,” MacQueen said, adding participants that day should plan to arrive at 10 a.m.
There will be entertainment, a health fair, door prizes, a falls testimony from a Holmes County citizen and recognition of all positive aging champions.
2023 Walk Across Holmes County trail walks
—Friday, Sept. 1, Lake Memorial Park, Big Prairie, from 9:30-11 a.m.
—Thursday, Sept. 7, Nashville Church of Christ Trail, Nashville, from 9-10:30 a.m.
—Wednesday, Sept. 13, Holmes County Trail, Glenmont portion, from 4-5:30 p.m.
—Monday, Sept. 18, Holmes County BDD trail, Holmesville, from 9:30-11 a.m.
—Thursday, Sept. 21, Patriotic Falls Walk & Health Fair, Millersburg Depot/Hipp Station, Millersburg, from 10 a.m. to noon.
—Saturday, Sept. 23, Clark Community Center, Clark, from 10-11:30 a.m.
—Friday, Sept. 29, Berlin Mennonite Church Trail, Berlin, from 2:30-4 p.m.
Register by calling MacQueen at 330-674-5035 ext. 251. Registration will be open until Sept. 18.
Anyone can participate in Walk Across Holmes County. Walking is a safe activity one can do during lunch or with the family in the evening. Walk outside on a sidewalk or a country road, follow a walking video inside, or just track the total number of steps you take throughout your normal day. Increased physical activity, like walking several times a week, is one strategy to lower your fall risk.
Falls are the No. 1 cause of injuries leading to ER visits, hospital stays and deaths in Ohioans age 65 and older. An older Ohioan is injured in a fall every two minutes on average, resulting in an emergency department visit every eight minutes, two hospitalizations per hour and three deaths each day. In addition to the physical toll, falls and the fear of falling contribute to depression, hopelessness and isolation.