By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-827410.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Falls among the elderly have become a health care crisis in Erie County. That is according to the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York. The foundation launched a half million dollar campaign on Monday to prevent dangerous falls.
"I've fallen and I can't get up," is a phrase that has become a joke of sorts since it first was heard in television commercials. But healthcare officials say falls are no laughing matter.
According to officials, about 45 elderly people in Erie County will die each year from fall related injuries. Melissa Conroy's grandmother was one of them.
"When my grandmother fell, I'd just talked to her the day before. She was very agile and very healthy," said Conroy. "She hit her head so hard that she never woke up. She died of brain-related issues just four days later in the hospital."
One out of three elderly people locally will fall this year. The foundation wants to reduce those numbers. Funding will be provided to several healthcare groups that will implement the prevention program. The groups will organize ten teams that will work throughout the county to increase awareness and develop strategies for keeping the elderly safer in their homes.
Ray Hammel is a physical therapist. He said they will start by assessing the person's physical risk, including vision and medical issues, as well as agility and stability.
Based on the evaluations, recommendations will be made to reduce physical risks, as well as to eliminate potential fall hazards in the home. More information about how to participate will be announced by the foundation next week.
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