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Lee County continues to lead the state in death rates due to falls among counties over 250,000 people, according to the newest statewide statistics. Last year, 94 people in Lee County died from falls, and falls remain the leading cause of accidental deaths in the county. In recognition of the National Fall Prevention Awareness Day on September 23 and National Balance Awareness Week Sept. 20-24, members of the Step WiseLee program and the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition are offering free educational programs to provide tips for preventing falls and improving balance.

The following free educational programs begin at noon at The Balance Clinic at Lee Center for Rehabilitation & Wellness, located at 2070 Carrell Rd in Fort Myers. Space is limited. Call 239-418-2000 to register.

• Monday, Sept. 20 – “Better Balance” – Learn about factors affecting balance and ways to test and improve your own balance skills.

• Thursday, Sept. 23 – “Farewell to Falls” – Learn about the most effective ways to minimize the risk of falls and how to get help after a fall.

• Friday, Sept. 24 – “Demystifying Dizziness” – Learn about the different types of dizziness, how to discuss your dizziness symptoms with your health care providers and how therapy can help.

In addition, members of the Step WiseLee program will be at Dunbar High School, 3800 East Edison Ave. in Fort Myers for a free seminar:
• Saturday, Sept. 25, – 8 a.m. to noon – Experts on balance and falls prevention will present information on preventing falls in the home and community.

Because of the high death rate, a campaign to prevent falls, appropriately named “Step WiseLee,” was launched in September 2009. The initiative calls on local health care agencies, residents, family and friends to work together to prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in Lee County. In addition to the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, members of the “Step WiseLee” partnership include the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Lee County Health Department, Lee County Public Safety – EMS and Lee Memorial Health System.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls occur more often in senior adults and are the leading cause of injury deaths in persons over 65 years of age. However, falls are not a normal, natural part of aging.

The CDC suggests the following key steps to reduce the risk of falls:
• Begin a regular exercise program
• Make homes safer by clearing walkways and hallways
• Get annual vision check-ups
• Have your health provider review your medications

To schedule a guest speaker, please send a request to info@stepwiselee.com. For more information on how to prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths, visit http://www.stepwiselee.com.

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition has been working to prevent injuries in Lee County since 1995 under the auspices of the Lee County Health Department. Today the group is composed of more than 80 different health and safety agencies and experts. The coalition is a multi-disciplinary cooperative of private and public partners that include fire and rescue agencies, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, hospital outreach programs, health agencies, and public and private schools. This strong partnership provides increased resources, efficiency and consistent delivery of unified safety messages to the public. For more information, visit http://www.stepwiselee.org.

According to new research presented by students from Florida Gulf Coast University, the most common causes of falls outside the home include environmental hazards, incorrect size or type of assisted devices including canes, walkers or crutches and poorly designed public spaces.

The students reviewed about 250 fall cases recorded from April through November 2009 by the Lee County Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS) as part of a senior interdisciplinary seminar within the College of Health Professions at FGCU. The students recently presented their findings and recommendations to the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition (LCIPC).

Lee County leads the state in death rates due to falls among counties with more than 250,000 people, according to the newest statewide statistics. Last year, 94 people in Lee County died from falls, and falls remain the leading cause of accidental deaths in the county. Because of the high death rate, a campaign to prevent falls, appropriately named “Step WiseLee,” was launched this fall. In addition to the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, members of the Step WiseLee partnership include the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Lee County Health Department, Lee County Public Safety – EMS and Lee Memorial Health System.

“Our research shows the greatest risk factors for falls within the community include environmental hazards such as poor lighting, incorrect use or type of assisted devices such as canes or walkers and poorly designed public spaces,” said Ellison Warner, student and lead presenter. “For example, one of the calls received was a female who fell over her walker and hit her head. As a result, she was taken to the hospital.”

Under the direction of FGCU associate professor Denise Heinemann, DrPH, RN, the students were asked to make recommendations to the committee on what needs to be done to prevent falls within the community. Both a student presenter and a practicing nurse, Markita Gorman, provided input to the committee on behalf of her research team which included Warner, Lisa Jones and Vi Tran.

“While our findings focused on falls within the community, our biggest recommendation and concern is that we must change the perception of falls within the elderly population and medical community,” said Gorman. “As a nurse, it is the responsibility of the medical community to identify patients at risk of falling so that once they leave the hospital; they are getting the proper follow-up care including home assessment, vision exams and medication reviews. Fall risk assessment and follow up care should be implemented as protocol within the physician practice, hospital and home health care settings.”

The students also included both federal and state zoning regulations as they relate to ramp landings, public restroom regulations and parking space requirements.

“The students are right on target with many of their findings and recommendations,” said Dr. Lowell Gerson, chairperson of the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition. “The take away messages for the Step WiseLee initiative are that we must step up and build upon our existing public awareness activities. In addition, we will advocate for our zoning and public safety officials to take a good look at the conditions of our public sidewalks and parking lots to ensure a safer, more pedestrian friendly environment for our residents.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls occur more often in senior adults and are the leading cause of injury deaths in persons over 65 years of age. However, falls are not a normal, natural part of aging.

The CDC suggests the following key steps to reduce the risk of falls:

• Begin a regular exercise program
• Make your home safer by clearing walkways and hallways
• Have your vision checked
• Have your health provider review your medications

The LCIPC can provide guest speakers to address groups on fall prevention. To schedule a guest speaker, please send a request to info@stepwiselee.com. For more information on how you can help prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths, please visit www.stepwiselee.com.

About The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition:

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition has been working to prevent injuries in Lee County since 1995 under the auspices of the Lee County Health Department. Today the group is composed of more than 80 different health and safety agencies and experts. The coalition is a multi-disciplinary cooperative of private and public partners that include fire and rescue agencies, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, hospital outreach programs, health agencies, and public and private schools. This strong partnership provides increased resources, efficiency, and consistent delivery of unified safety messages to the public. For more information, visit http://www.stepwiselee.com.

Lee County leads the state in death rates due to falls among counties over 250,000 people, according to the newest statewide statistics. Last year, 94 people in Lee County died from falls, and falls remain the leading cause of accidental deaths in the county.

Because of the high death rate, a campaign to prevent falls, appropriately named “Step WiseLee,” was launched in September. The initiative calls on local health care agencies, residents, family and friends to work together to prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in Lee County. In addition to the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, members of the “Step WiseLee” partnership include the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Lee County Health Department, Lee County Public Safety – EMS and Lee Memorial Health System.

“Most people would be surprised to see that more Lee County residents die from falls than motor vehicle crashes. The fact remains that last year 94 people lost their lives through a preventable event,” said Lowell Gerson, PhD, chairperson of the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition. “These numbers are not just statistics, but they represent people in our community who lost their lives. That’s why we are working so hard to reach out to residents and health care providers through local events and speaking engagements and offering tips on preventing falls.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls occur more often in senior adults and are the leading cause of injury deaths in persons over 65 years of age. However, falls are not a normal, natural part of aging.

The CDC suggests the following key steps to reduce the risk of falls:

• Begin a regular exercise program
• Make your home safer by clearing walkways and hallways
• Have your vision checked
• Have your health provider review your medications 

To schedule a guest speaker, please send a request to info@stepwiselee.com. For more information on how you can help prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths, please visit http://www.stepwiselee.com.

About The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition:

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition has been working to prevent injuries in Lee County since 1995 under the auspices of the Lee County Health Department. Today our group is comprised of more than 80 different health and safety agencies and experts. The coalition is a multi-disciplinary cooperative of private and public partners that include fire and rescue agencies, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, hospital outreach programs, health agencies, and public and private schools. This strong partnership provides increased resources, efficiency, and consistent delivery of unified safety messages to the public. For more information, visit http://www.stepwiselee.com.

Following the launch of Step WiseLee, a countywide public awareness campaign aimed at preventing falls and fall-related deaths and injuries in Lee County, the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition has established a speakers bureau to reach residents with information on how they can help prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths. Members of the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition are available to speak to businesses, communities and organizations throughout Lee County with information on assessing fall risk and recommendations and tips for preventing falls.

Sadly, falls were the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in Lee County in 2007. The numbers are alarming: 144 people died from falls in Lee County in 2007. In fact, Lee County leads the state in fall related death rates by a margin of more than 2-1, or more than double the state average.

“In order to reduce the high fall rate in Lee County, we are stepping into the community with tips on preventing falls,” said Dr. Lowell Gerson, chairperson of the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition. “By inviting a member of the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition to speak to your organization or community, you can help us share the Step WiseLee message in hopes of reducing the high number of injuries and deaths attributed to falls in Lee County.”

To schedule a guest speaker, please send a request to info@stepwiselee.com. For more information on how you can help prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths, please visit  http://www.stepwiselee.com.

Appropriately named “Step WiseLee,” the initiative calls on local health care agencies, residents, family and friends to work together to prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in Lee County. In addition to the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, members of the “Step WiseLee” partnership include the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Lee County Health Department, Lee County Public Safety – EMS and Lee Memorial Health System.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends taking the following steps to reduce falls:

• Begin a regular exercise program
• Make your home safer by clearing walkways and hallways
• Have your vision checked
• Have your health provider review your medications.

About The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition:

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition (LCIPC) has been working to prevent injuries in Lee County since 1995 under the auspices of the Lee County Health Department. Today the coalition is comprised of more than 80 different health and safety agencies and experts. The LCIPC is a multi-disciplinary cooperative of private and public partners that include fire and rescue agencies, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, hospital outreach programs, health agencies, and public and private schools. This provides a strong partnership to reach the greatest number of individuals, efficiently use limited resources, and deliver consistent, unified, safety messages to the public. For more information, visit http://www.leecountyinjuryprevention.org.