For those interested in participating in Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD) on September 23, a free webinar hosted by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) on August 21 will provide information on fall-related prevention and initiatives. The theme of FPAD this year, “Strong Today, Falls Free Tomorrow,” aims to unite professionals, caregivers, older adults, and family members to play a part in raising awareness and preventing falls in the older adult population, according to a news release from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

The APTA news release notes that the August webinar will explore strategies to recruit older adult participants and new initiatives for partnering with emergency medical services, community health workers, and others. The online seminar will also detail what’s new in fall prevention programming and what’s working in communities nationwide as well as how different groups are integrating fall prevention programming into their offerings.

The APTA news release indicates that more than 40 states are part of a coalition to address the health issue of falls, and a number of them are working closely with physical therapists as key contributors to reducing falls. APTA is among the professional associations and federal agencies that constitute the Falls Free Initiative. Visitors to the NCOA website can find ideas for observing FPAD, which will include an infographic with six steps older adults can take to prevent falls.

Additionally, the APTA website www.apta.org has resources on balance and falls to view.

Source: APTA