Taking steps to prevent falls
The free walk will be held Thursday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon in Millersburg. The event includes a health fair and raffle baskets for participants.
As part of a statewide initiative to reduce falls in older adults, the Holmes County General Health District is sponsoring a falls-prevention walk to raise awareness of potential risks and preventative measures related to falling.
The free walk will be held Thursday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon in Millersburg. The event includes a health fair and raffle baskets for participants.
With falls on the rise among adults over 65 in the United States and in Holmes County, the Injury Prevention Program of the Holmes County General Health District is addressing the issue through education and exercise classes.
“Falls are not a normal part of the aging process,” said Kerry McQueen, health educator/injury-prevention coordinator at Holmes County General Health District. “There are multiple reasons people may fall such as chronic pain, unsteady gait and dizziness due to medication side effects, and home-safety issues.”
The local walk is scheduled to coordinate with National Falls Prevention Day.
“Ten Million Steps to Prevent Falls” is a statewide initiative in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health. The goal is to get at least 4,000 Ohioans to walk 1 mile or more in the name of falls prevention on or around Sept. 22, the first day of autumn.
Walkers who’d like to participate independently can register their walk online to have their miles count toward the state goal. Registration and additional information are available at www.aging.ohio.gov/steadyu/10millionsteps.
The local event is called the Patriotic Falls Prevention Walk. Last year 64 participants walked 219,000 steps, which translated into 109.5 miles walked. Participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue.
The free walk is co-sponsored by the Standing Against Falls Coalition and Scenic Pointe and Sycamore Run Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. The community event will officially begin with a proclamation at 10 a.m.
The walk will take place at the Millersburg Depot/Hipp Station, 62 N. Grant St., Millersburg. The rain location is Harvest Ridge, Arena Building, 8880 OH-39, Millersburg.
“There will be a health fair with blood-pressure checks, balance assessments and vision screening,” McQueen said.
There also will be raffle baskets.
Fitness stations during the walk will offer ideas for basic exercises participants can do on their own.
Additionally demonstrations will be presented to acquaint participants with a tai chi program offered at various locations around the county. Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is a program using tai chi movement to improve flexibility, balance and alertness.
Several Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance classes are underway in the area. Registration is still open.
A class in Berlin meets at the Berlin Mennonite Church. It started Sept. 14 and runs through Nov. 16. Beginners meet from 9:30-10:30 a.m. An advanced class meets from 10:30-11:15 a.m. at the same location.
The Darb Snyder Senior Center in Millersburg is hosting classes on Mondays. The session began Sept. 10 and runs through Nov. 19. The advanced class meets 9:30-10:15 a.m., and the beginner class meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Newcomers are welcome to join anytime. The advanced classes require prior participation in at least two beginner classes. For more information and to register, call the Holmes County General Health District at 330-674-5035.
“We are encouraging everyone to come out and walk with us,” McQueen said. “It is truly a community event. We all have someone we care about over the age of 65 who we want to stay safe and be falls-free.”