The McKenzie County NDSU Extension office in Watford City will begin a program to prevent falling named “Stepping On” on January 29. The program will be every Wednesday at noon from Jan. 29 to March 12 at Outlaws Bar and Grill.
Each class will kick off with an optional noon meal at a cost of $10 at Outlaws Bar and Grill in Watford City. Sessions will follow at 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Pre-registration is requested prior to attending. Please contact the McKenzie County Extension Office at 701-444-3451 or e-mail [email protected] or contact Kathy Skarda at First International Bank at 701-842-2381 by Friday, January 24 to express interest in this series.
The need for this type of fall prevention program is great. The program states, “Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among those age 65 and older. In 2008, 2.1 million non-fatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments resulting in more than 559,000 patients being hospitalized. Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures or head traumas. Even if no injuries occur after a fall, many people develop a fear of falling, which in turn often causes them to limit their activities. This can result in reduced mobility and loss of physical conditioning, increasing their risk of falling.”
Stepping On is an evidence-based program that empowers older adults to carry out healthy behaviors that reduce the risks of falls. In a small group setting, participants will learn balance exercises and develop specific knowledge and skills to prevent falls. Classes will be facilitated by McKenzie County Extension Agent Marcia Hellandsaas and Kathy Skarda at First International Bank and Trust in Watford City. Guest speakers will include: a local physical therapist, vision specialist, police officer and pharmacist.
Subjects of classes include: improving balance and strength, home and environmental safety, community safety, vision and medication review, safe footwear and sleep.
Classes will be highly participative and will include discussion, sharing and successes to help participants manage their healthy behaviors to reduce their risks of falls. The program is evidence based and has demonstrated that it has been effective in preventing falls in community-residing older adults. Some of the factors that contribute may not be obvious. The program illustrates many items that can contribute to falling. “One example of this is painting the color of your bottom step different from the others so it can be easlily seen,” stated Hellandsaas.
Stepping On is sponsored by the McKenzie County Extension Office, First International Bank and Trust and Outlaws Bar and Grill.
For more information, please contact the McKenzie County Extension Office at 701-444-3451 or go to steppingon.com.
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