Free Fall Reduction Classes And Workshops Available To San Diegans

Elders in California. (File photo courtesy the Department of Social Services)

The San Diego County Fall Prevention Task Force is bringing together health care professionals, service providers and community advocates to work on fall-reduction strategies by hosting a series of free public workshops this week.

San Diego County reported more than 33,000 emergency room discharges due to falls among people age 60 and older in 2023.

“A fall can have a major impact on someone’s independence and for their entire support system. It can lead to permanent injuries, the need for surgeries and have overall impact on how they are able to live their everyday life,” County Aging & Independence Services Director Jennifer Bransford Koons said in a statement.

“The good news is that falls are preventable. There are ways to make our homes safer and be better prepared so that we can avoid the devastating outcomes of a fall.”

Risk factors for falls include vision and hearing problems, medications, chronic conditions and environmental hazards.

Upcoming workshops this week include:

• Sept. 22 from 2 to 3 p.m., virtual. Balance & Beyond: A Panel on Fall Prevention & Aging Well. An expert panel including a geriatrician, physical therapist, pharmacist, exercise instructor and first responder will discuss practical tips for reducing fall risks and staying independent. Registration is available online. For questions, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.
• Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, 9888 Genesee Ave. Standing Stronger Fall Prevention Workshop featuring presentation, sample classes, fall risk assessments, medication checks, blood pressure and stroke risk assessments, exhibitors and more. To register, email InjuryPrevention@ScrippsHealth.org or call (858) 626-6160.
• Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at Sharp/Grossmont Healthcare District, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Fall Prevention and Balance Screening Event. To register, call (800) 82-SHARP or visit the Sharp event registration website.
• Sept. 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Fallbrook Regional Health District, 1636 E. Mission Road, Fallbrook. Join County AIS and the Fallbrook Community Health and Wellness Center for a Wellness Wednesday event featuring health screenings, fall risk assessments and a fall prevention presentation. No registration needed. For questions, call (760) 731-9187.
• Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to noon, virtual. Join ElderHelp for a Family Caregiver Webinar on the topic of Staying Safe & Living Well: Fall Prevention for Older Adults. To register, visit the ElderHelp registration website. For questions, email cmcclellan@elderhelpofsandiego.org.
• Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at UC San Diego Health Gary & Mary West Wellness Center, 1525 Fourth Ave., San Diego. A fall prevention event for older adults featuring presentations, exhibitors and information-sharing. Registration is not needed. For questions, email traumainjuryprevention@health.ucsd.edu.
• Sept. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at Scripps Encinitas Rehabilitation Center, 1092 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Standing Stronger Fall Prevention Workshop featuring presentations, sample classes, fall risk assessments, health screenings, exhibitors and more. To register or ask questions, email InjuryPrevention@ScrippsHealth.org or call (858) 626-6160.

More information can be found at SanDiegoFallPrevention.org.