<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=34XnhI_1H1leGma00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=34XnhI_1H1leGma00" width="1200" height="900" ></figure>MONROE, Conn. — The Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service will host a talk on fall prevention for the Steady Steps program at its headquarters at 54 Jockey Hollow Road on Nov. 17. There will be two sessions, one at 11 a.m. and the other, which will be for caregivers, at 7 p.m.The program is done in partnership with the Monroe Health Department, Monroe EMS and the Monroe Senior Center. The talks at EMS headquarters are free and there will be snacks and giveaways for attendees.To RSVP, email Lisa Pane, the MVEMS administrator, at [email protected] or call her at 203-452-2826 ext 1601. To see the event poster, click here.Monroe EMS personnel responded to 365 calls involving falls last year. A variety of factors can lead to such mishaps, from balance issues and medical conditions to throw rugs and household clutter.“We recognize that seniors value their independence and the goal of this program is to keep them safe and independent in their homes,” Pane said.The Steady Steps brochure includes these national statistics: <ul><li>1 in 4 people age 65 and older fall each year.</li><li>1 in 5 falls cause a serious injury.</li><li>Every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.</li><li>Over 3 million older adults are treated in emergency rooms for falls each year.</li><li>Fall injuries have cost Medicare $32 billion annually.</li></ul>“Probably about 16 to 20 percent of our calls are for falls,” Pane said of Monroe, adding, “about 30 percent of the elderly who fall and break a hip will die within a year. The potential is always there for an injury.”Home visitsThe fall prevention program includes home visits by a health educator, the town nurse, the EMS administrator and the elderly services coordinator. “It’s a multifunctional assessment,” Pane said.The health educator talks to seniors about potential fall risks, provides fall logs, makes weekly check-in calls and provides educational materials on exercises to gain strength and stability.The town nurse gathers knowledge of a participant’s medication and does screenings for blood pressure. Pane said the nurse may also do cursory eye and foot exams.“I’ll do a balance, walking and home safety assessment for fall risk factors,” Pane said.Among potential home hazards are throw rugs, electrical cords, oxygen tubing, general clutter and poor lighting, according to Pane. She also educates participants on 911 calls.Potential solutions to safety issues could be installing a railing or a grab bar, physical therapy or recommending the resident use a cane or walker. “We assess everyone in their home,” Pane said. “We try to figure out why they’re falling.”“If we feel a patient may need additional services in their home, we could get Social Services involved,” she said, “and if needed, we can contact the resident’s physician. It’s an individualized program.”Amy LaChioma, an elderly services social worker, participates in the visits. “I sometimes connect them to services they might need: a caregiver in their home, grab bars or a fall alert button — things like that,” she said.LaChioma can also help residents with other issues she finds. For example, if a senior’s refrigerator is nearly empty, she could assist them in applying for the SNAP program or for the Monroe Food Pantry. If someone cannot afford their utilities, there are state programs and Project Warmth.“If there is a hoarding issue, I can come in as a social worker or if there is a concern of being alone, there are different things they may qualify for,” she said.If a spouse or an adult child feels overwhelmed, LaChioma said she could find a caregiver support group.A free balance screeningMonroe Community and Social Services Director Kim Cassia, who manages the Monroe Senior Center, praised the Steady Steps program and said the center also has a lot to offer to seniors, enabling them to avoid falls.“We try to do a lot of programs that educate people and help them,” Cassia said. “Sometimes people don’t realize it’s body awareness or the little rugs at home.”For example, the center has a Matter of Balance program and chair yoga classes. Pane expressed her hope that more residents will sign up for Steady Steps. “If someone feels unsteady in their home, they can call us and arrange a home visit,” she said.Those interested in participating in Steady Steps can call the Monroe Health Department at 203-452-2818. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.“It has been well-received by those who participated,” Pane said. “We want people to contact us before they fall and get hurt.”All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.</div></body>

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MONROE, Conn. — The Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service will host a talk on fall prevention for the Steady Steps program at its headquarters at 54 Jockey Hollow Road on Nov. 17. There will be two sessions, one at 11 a.m. and the other, which will be for caregivers, at 7 p.m.

Two Steady Steps presentations to be held at Monroe EMS headquarters

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MONROE, Conn. — The Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service will host a talk on fall prevention for the Steady Steps program at its headquarters at 54 J

Two Steady Steps presentations to be held at Monroe EMS headquarters

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