A serious issue facing seniors in Grey Bruce is the focus of two luncheons being hosted by the Grey Bruce Health Unit.
Health Promoter Sarah Milne says falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors, and have a fatality rate within the year after the injury higher than heart attacks.
She also says Grey Bruce fall incidents are higher than provincial averages – between April 2006 and March 2007, 645 patients over the age of 65 were admitted to ERs at Grey Bruce Health Services with hip fractures.
Milne says a main purpose of this week’s events is to have local seniors fill out a Community Audit.
They’ll be asked to assess how age friendly our communities are and what could be done to help prevent falls in public places.
She says they hope to use the information to initiate change in things like building design, curb style, sidewalk size, number of obstacles, the speed of vehicles on the road – all factors that impact how people are able to get around.
The other main purpose of the luncheons is to have seniors participate in a falls risk screening assessment.
Milne says they’ll be given a card to take home that outlines 6 key fall risk factors and also be provided with information on where to go depending on what factor is affecting them.
The luncheons will be held at the Walkerton Legion on Wednesday and the Owen Sound Legion on Thursday, with both events on from 11 AM to 2 PM..
With 130 people already signed up, there are about 10-15 spots still available for each location and you can register by calling the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit at 519-376-9420.
Milne says everyone is encouraged to attend, from seniors to those who will soon be seniors, to family members and other care providers.