Alpine Joins Forces to Test Fall Risk at the Missoula Senior Center - By Brent Dodge

On Friday, September 20th, the first day of Fall, Alpine Physical Therapy and a handful of UM PT students took part in the National Falls Prevention & Awareness Day by offering local seniors falls risk screens and consultations on fall prevention. We screened 13 seniors and found plenty of folks in need of work on their balance and leg strength.

This outreach effort is a part of national health promotion effort to keep our aging adults living independently and out of the hospitals and nursing homes. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention put together a statistics sheet on the threat of falls.

Take note of some of these startling facts:

• One-third of people 65 and older fall each year.
• Every 29 minutes an older adult dies from a fall.
• One out of 5 falls causes a serious injury such as a head trauma or boney fracture.
• Direct medical costs for fall injuries total over $28 billion annually; two-thirds of which accounts for hospital costs.

The good news is this. Physical therapists play an important role in the health care team effort for injury prevention.  To this end, Alpine PT is offering free falls risk consultations. Please call any of our three offices to schedule a free consult.

• Alpine South: 406-251-2323
• Alpine North 406-541-2606
• Alpine Downtown 406-549-0064

There is a great deal of helpful information on fall prevention, assessing your fall risk, and improving health and safety in the home and community. Consider visiting the following web resources for more information.

http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/WhatYouCanDoToPreventFalls.html

http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/Falls/steadi/about.html

Listed below are several ongoing local community exercise programs available throughout the Missoula community.

* Active Aging Week – Missoula Public Library
http://purl.library.usyd.edu.au/sup/9781920898755

* PEAK Health and Wellness –  Silver Sneakers, Tai Chi, Gentle Yoga, Senior Water
http://peakmissoula.com/programs/classes

* YMCA Adult & Senior Health & Wellness Programs
http://www.ymcamissoula.org/index.php?page=health-fitness-2

* Stepping On: Building Confidence and Reducing Fall – Missoula Public Health
http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/HealthPromo/FallPrevention/index.htm
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* Arthritis Management Community Exercise Classes – Grizzly Peak, UM, Arthritis Foundation
* Walk With Ease (Group Cardio Walks), Down the River – Missoula Senior Center, UM, Arthritis Foundation
* Senior Exercise Classes – Community Medical Center
http://www.communitymed.org ​