Heed the stats

Todd Kane, a Sun City resident, had an observation.

“Our house backs up to Del Webb Blvd and a day doesn’t go by where I don’t see two or more ambulances and fire trucks go by. Kathy O’Toole, Sun City Fitness Manager, explained that Sun City generates well over 1,000 ambulance calls a year and that a vast majority of them are the result of falls in the house. The EMT told me that, by his observation, that those numbers are directionally correct, maybe even higher. Kathy thinks that anything the fitness department can do to improve strength and balance in our community’s residents would help to reduce those numbers.”

Lt. Eric Bentley, Director of Life Safety, from Huntley Fire Protection District, confirmed this information.

“Del Webb is 17% of the population but 40% of our calls are to Sun City. 30% of those calls to the resident are for falls or for lift assists,” he said.

What are the exact numbers? Bentley states, “In 2019 we had a total of 5456 calls to Sun City. Of those, 1332 were for falls or for lift assists. The 671 lift assists included helping a resident to or from the car for a Doctor Appointment or other trips.”

Bentley said, “Statistics show us that every 20 minutes, an elderly adult dies from a fall.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency Departed for a fall.

Using the Numbers provided by Bentley, this means approximately 3-5 emergency vehicles are in Sun City daily for a fall or a lift assist.

Bentley confirms, “Some days we dispatch 7 emergency vehicles for Sun City falls or lift assists.”

There has been a substantial increase in the number of fall-related calls to EMS in older individuals. This utilization of EMS for lift assists has substantial financial consequences and diverts care from calls that need immediate triage and transport to care.

Falls are the leading cause of injury and result in 40% of hospitalizations in older adults in the United States. The cost is projected to reach $30 billion in 2020. One in 7 falls in older adults’ results in a fracture and up to 50% of those show a substantial decline in daily function and mortality risk rate is at 30% within 1 year.

Most falls are preventable. Huntley Fire Protection District, Northwester Medicine Wellness Center at Sun City and Sun City Fitness Center are offering an interactive four-week Fall Risk Prevention Program.

The Program’s goal is to educate, assess residents’ risk factors for falls, and provide fitness classes targeted at improving balance and health. This four-week program is exclusive to Sun City Residents. The cost is $20.

Week one, LT Bentley will provide participants with a presentation. Bentley said, “I want residents to know that they can get help. We have a community helpline that they can utilize by going to www.findhelp211.org or just dialing 211. I will go over basic safety strategies like having night lights and good housekeeping.”

Week two is Complimentary Assessments and Fall Risk Screenings. O’Toole states, “Northwestern will have two pieces of equipment that will assess where an individual falls in the spectrum for balance and strength. This test alone runs $60. Along with that, there will be two physical therapists that will have recommendations.”

Week three, according to O’Toole, will be, “The fitness department will highlight their fall prevention classes that focus on strength and balance.”

Classes are offered continuously in providing the strategic exercises to strengthen your core and balance. Nancy Jenks leads a Balance Focus classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jenks is a GroupEx certified instructor and has been teaching at Sun City Huntley since August 2005.

Jenks said, “In all my fitness classes, I like to point out how important good balance is and that strength training exercises help to improve balance that is why strengthening the core, quads, and glutes are very important. I work on specific balance drills to help with reaction time, weight shifting and deceleration. An online training, I recently completed, pointed out that 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls. From a fall, there could be a concussion (the main concern in a fall), ankle sprain, wrist fractures, and possibly a shoulder tear. When someone falls, that person is less mobile, could be bedridden and depression could set in. Best option: Stay Strong, Don’t Fall. Balance training is recommended three times per week.”

The last week, Week four, offers residents an understanding of Ancillary Support.

O’Toole states, “Northwestern pharmacists will give residents a better understanding of common medicines and their risk factor in causing falls. Hearing specialists will discuss the importance of hearing screenings and will be given an opportunity to schedule a complimentary screening.”

The program will begin on March 3, but the path to no more falls can start immediately. Classes are available now. Personal trainers in Sun City can work with you to achieve your goals. Personal Training packets are available at any fitness desk. The Wellness provides Complimentary Medicine Screening (BYOM). Lt. Eric Bentley will provide his wealth of information on getting help and what is available for Seniors to any groups. Any group, club or neighbor can email him at ebentley@huntleyfpd.org to schedule and informative presentations. And any questions on the four-week program or fitness programs can be directed to Kathy O’Toole at 847-515-7621.

Remember only you can prevent HOME FALLS.

---