Helping Seniors Stay Healthy And Prevent Accidents And Injury Due To Falls

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and the Ulster County Office for the Aging invite Ulster County seniors to attend a free seminar designed to assist them with preventable measures to avoid accidents and falling.  The seminar is being held on Monday, September 21, 2015 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Esopus Town Hall, 284 Broadway in Port Ewen.  Ulster County is committed to helping seniors stay healthy and prevent accidents and injury due to falls.  According to a NYS Department of Health study, between 2010 and 2012, approximately 89,000 seniors over the age of 65 had falls resulting in emergency department visits statewide. 

“I invite seniors to attend this important seminar which is designed to provide information and preventable measures to help seniors avoid falls and accidents which is essential to remain independent and at home,” said County Executive Hein.  “In New York State, approximately one hundred forty older adults are hospitalized every day due to a fall resulting in an estimated 60% being admitted to a nursing home or rehabilitation center.  The good news is that with the proper knowledge many falls can be prevented by taking some precautions and improving one’s balance, greatly reducing the risk of falling and injury.”

This free seminar will include the following:  

• Home Safe Home presented by The Resource Center for Accessible Living, Gilles Malkine, who has experience as an Architectural Barrier Consultant for 18 years.  He will speak about architectural modifications to accommodate disabilities, safety advice for seniors in the home, and will offer information about equipment and devices to make life simpler and easier.  A slideshow will cover typically dangerous home situations and common sense solutions for them.

• Tai Chi Demo by Certified Instructor Anne Sherry, who is a registered nurse committed to helping seniors find stability and balance at all levels and ages.

• Falls, Fact and Fiction the latest research on preventing falls by Bill Shashaty, Occupational Therapist at HAHV.

Seniors should wear comfortable clothing and shoes as there will be exercise demonstrations.  In addition, nightlights will be distributed and light refreshments will be served. To reserve your spot for this free seminar or for additional information please call the Ulster County Office for the Aging at 845-340-3456.