STHS Partnering With Prominence Health To Help Educate Older Adults On Fall Prevention In The Home

During the third of a four-part series of “Falling Out of Danger” educational seminars, the STHS McAllen Trauma Department & STHS McAllen Outpatient Rehabilitation Center will highlight ways to reduce the risk of falls in the home setting

Falls are a principal cause of injury and death for older adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with about 37 million falls reported annually among people aged 65 and older, resulting in millions of injuries and tens of thousands of deaths.

More than half of all falls by older adults occur in the home, per the CDC, with the highest percentage of fall-related emergency visits at home being for individuals aged 85 and over.

“Due to a combination of factors, including age-related loss of muscle mass and strength and decreased balance, chronic health conditions that affect balance and mobility and environmental hazards like inadequate lighting and loose rugs, seniors often fall at home,” says Faith Arredondo, DPT, Acute Therapy Manager, South Texas Health System McAllen. ”The most common locations for a fall at home tend to be in the bedroom, bathroom and stairs.”

Muscle loss, especially in the lower limbs, significantly impacts daily activities like walking, climbing stairs or even getting out of a chair. Leading to slower movement and difficulty with coordination, sarcopenia can make it harder to react to uneven surfaces or potential hazards and result in an increased risk of falls and fall-related injuries.

Unfortunately, falls can be extremely dangerous for the elderly, resulting in serious injuries like hip and hand fractures and head trauma, even death.

“A seemingly minor accident like tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can have devastating consequences for seniors,” says Arrendondo. “These falls often lead to broken bones, serious health problems or long-term disabilities, making falls and fractures potentially life-changing events for the elderly. That’s why it’s important to ensure a safe home environment and address any environmental hazards, which not only reduce the risk of falls but also help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life.”

To help older adults in the Rio Grande Valley prevent falls at home, the STHS McAllen Trauma Department and STHS McAllen Outpatient Rehabilitation Center will partner with Prominence Health to host the third of their four-part “Falling Out of Danger: Fall Prevention Education Series” events on Wednesday, November 12, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Titled “Home Safety: Identifying & Fixing Hazards,” the session will take place at STHS McAllen, in the facility’s first-floor GME Classroom. It will feature STHS McAllen Rehabilitation Services Department & STHS McAllen Trauma Department staff members providing room-by-room strategies for reducing the risk of falls and highlighting the importance of developing a comprehensive fall prevention plan with healthcare providers to safeguard older adults from potential falls.

“Taking proactive steps to ensure a well-maintained and hazard-free home not only enhances safety but also supports overall well-being and independence,” says Arredondo. “By actively engaging in health assessments and implementing safety measures at home, older adults and their caregivers can work together to create a safer living environment.”

In addition, the event will include level-of-care assessments, including gait checks and blood pressure screenings, to help determine the best care for you or your loved ones, as well as an expo to highlight senior-related resources provided by STHS, Prominence Health and local community organizations.

There’s no need to register for the events which are free to attend. For complete details, visit the STHS Facebook Events page. To learn more about fall prevention strategies, visit the STHS website at https://southtexashealthsystem.com/.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.