National Fall Day Awareness Event
The public is invited to a free balance screening in honor of National Fall Prevention Day on Wednesday, September 23 from 9 am to 2 p.m. The Dizziness and Balance Clinic at Work Plus Rehab Center at 343 Vann Drive is sponsoring the event to bring awareness about the prevention of falls. One in three community-dwelling people over the age of 65 falls each year and this number increases to one in two by the age of 80. Fall related injuries are often serious enough to result in hospitalization and even premature death. Also, people who fall often face significant declines in mobility and independence. The upcoming free event will include balance screenings, bone density fall prevention and home safety presentations, as well as Tai Chi demonstrations. Jane David, PT, DPT at Work Plus is a member of the Tennessee Coalition on Falls Prevention and provides treatment for patients who have balance problems due to inner ear or other related problems. She said a large percentage of these types of problems can be corrected with specific physical therapy techniques and exercises. You can find out more about fall prevention by calling Work Plus at 984-7640 or visiting the National Council of Aging website www.ncoa.org .
