Every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall-related injury that can lead to costly hospitalization, extensive rehabilitation, and social isolation.

To help inform the East Bay community about fall prevention strategies and related resources, Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) will host a Fall Prevention Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at its San Leandro PACE Center, 1850 Fairway Drive in San Leandro. The Forum is free and open to the public, with light refreshments and free parking provided.

The Forum celebrates National Fall Awareness Prevention Week and will feature information about the importance of fall prevention, live demonstrations of fall prevention techniques, and opportunities for attendees to ask doctors, physical therapists and occupational therapists questions about preventing falls. In addition, attendees will be able to experience exciting virtual reality displays, receive safety tips on how to reduce falls at home, learn ways to recognize warning signs that may be precursors to a fall, and discover the best questions to ask doctors about fall prevention.

According to Sadiya Kazi, OTR/L, CEI rehabilitation manager, staying active helps prevent falls and makes it easier to recover more quickly from a fall. “One of the major reasons people stop moving when they get older is the fear of falling. But for most people, there’s a point when it’s time to start moving again and incorporating exercises and activities that safely build an older person’s strength and confidence,” she said.

Several community organizations will be available to answer questions and provide resources related to fall prevention, including Alameda County Emergency Medical Services; Alameda County Senior Injury Prevention Program; Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay; Alzheimer’s Association; City of San Leandro; DayBreak Adult Care Centers, and SilverRide assisted ride service.

Now in its 36th year, CEI helps at-risk seniors live at home, rather than in nursing homes, through its national senior health plan known as PACE (the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). Although every senior enrolled in PACE meets the requirements for nursing home care, 96 percent of CEI’s participants continue to live and thrive in their communities. CEI offers a robust fall prevention program of education and physical activity to its senior participants and their family caregivers.

Tours of the recently opened state-of-the-art San Leandro PACE Center will be conducted throughout the event. Physical and occupational therapists will be available in the fitness gym to answer questions and demonstrate exercises designed to improve strength, balance and resilience. CEI doctors also will be available to answer questions about preventing falls as attendees tour the onsite medical clinic.

For more information, please contact Dianna Garrett at 510-433-1150 or dgarrett @cei.elders. org or visit https://cei.elders.org/events-directory.

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