Falling is one of the leading causes of injuries in older Albertans, and November is falls prevention month.
Alberta Health Services has launched an online “Be Active Challenge.”
The idea is to raise awareness, increase knowledge and actions to prevent falls and related injuries.
Anyone more than 18 years of age is invited to take part in an online challenge (see link below) designed to help participants build physical strength that helps prevent falls.
Activities include stretching, yoga, strength training, video exercise classes, dance classes, adventures outdoors and ways to strengthen your sense of balance.
The benefits of physical activity include maintaining strong bones and muscles, improving balance, energy, improving memory and mood.
One in three seniors living independently will experience a fall each year and up to half of those in institutions will fall.
In 2019 there were more than 29,000 Alberta seniors who visited an emergency care centre and more than 9,000 were admitted to hospital. There were 39,021 visits to ER and urgent care centres because of fall-related injuries for those between the ages of 40 and 64.
https://sites.google.com/view/beactivechallenge/home
