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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United Way of Tarrant County’s Area Agency on Aging Celebrates Falls Prevention Education and Collaboration
Coordinated nationwide events mark the 10th anniversary of Falls Prevention Awareness Day
[Fort Worth, Texas] (Sept. 12, 2017) – Falls are not a normal part of aging, but they are the leading cause of fatal and non-‐fatal injuries for older Americans. That’s why United Way of Tarrant County’s Area Agency on Aging is partnering with Sixty & Better, Tarrant County Public Health, JPS Health Network, UNT Health Science Center, Texas Health Resources, the National Council on Aging (NCOA), and the Falls Free® Coalition to celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 22. The coordinated Ten Years Standing Together to Prevent Falls anniversary celebrations bring together older adults and their loved ones, health and aging professionals, and community leaders in support of falls prevention. United Way of Tarrant County’s fun community event will empower older adults to stay active, independent, and safe in their homes and communities. Activities will include the following: • September 18, 2017-‐ Turning the Tide on the Opioid Epidemic • September 19, 2017-‐ Falls Prevention Awareness Proclamation at Tarrant County
Commissioner’s Court • September 22, 2017 – The Falls Prevention Incident, 12:00 PM at Burnette Park • September 29, 2017 – Safety and Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Resource
Connection • November 10, 2017 – Falls Prevention Fair
“Falls prevention education can be life-‐changing, not just for the older adults that participate in these event, but for their loved ones, and even our community,” said Don Smith, Community Development Division Vice President and Director of the Area Agency on Aging at United Way of Tarrant County. “We are proud to support NCOA’s Falls Prevention Awareness Day efforts as part of our year-‐round commitment to supporting older adults in Tarrant County.” “Falls prevention is a team effort that takes a balance of education, intervention, and community support,” said Kathleen Cameron, Senior Director of NCOA’s National Falls
Prevention Resource Center. “This annual coordinated celebration is an opportunity to look at the world around us, be aware of falls hazards, and take action to stay safe from falls.” In addition to United Way of Tarrant County’s event, NCOA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Falls Prevention Awareness Day with a national photo and video contest, a Twitter Chat on September 14, and a Facebook Live on September 22. To find out more about Falls Prevention Awareness Day, and NOCA’s work to prevent falls, go to www.ncoa.org/FallsPrevention. About United Way of Tarrant County’s Area Agency on Aging United Way of Tarrant County’s Area Agency on Aging is a leader and convener of change in the community as well as nationally. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers by raising awareness of unmet needs, advocating for and connecting individuals to resources, forming community partnerships, and providing exemplary services. For more information on the services we offer, visit: www.unitedwaytarrant.org/aaatc/. About the Falls Free® Initiative Led by the National Council on Aging, the Falls Free® Initiative includes 43 states and 70 national organizations, professional associations, and federal agencies working collaboratively to bring education, awareness, and evidence-‐based solutions to local communities. Falls Free® seeks to provide hundreds of thousands of older Americans with the resources and education needed to reduce their risk of injury. For more information, visit: www.ncoa.org/FallsFreeInitiative. Use #FPAD17 to join the conversation on social media.
MEDIA CONTACT: Amanda Robbins, MS, RN, GCNS-‐BC
Program Director, Fort Worth Emergency Services Collaborative Co-‐Chair, Fort Worth Safe Communities Coalition
[email protected] 817-‐250-‐4876