Welcome to North Shore Health Department North Shore Health Department Highlights 09/17/2019 Did You Know? September 23, 2019, the first day of fall, marks the 10th annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits for older adults, the major cause of hip fractures, and responsible for more than half of fatal head injuries. In the US, one in four adults aged 65 or older falls every year. Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness. Falls are not an inevitable part of aging. The North Shore Health Department in conjunction with the North Shore Fire Department and local sponsors have held four “Stepping On” classes this year. “Stepping On” is an evidence-based fall prevention class which meets for two hours weekly for seven weeks. These classes highlight how exercise, medication management, vision screening, and making your living environment safer are all steps people can do to prevent a fall. The next session begins on September 24, 2019 at the New Perspectives Senior Living Center in Brown Deer. Contact the NSHD at 414-371-2980 if interested in attending. Additionally, there are classes held throughout the year in Milwaukee County that can be found on the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging’s website. https://wihealthyaging.org/stepping-on-consumer Missed the highlights? Click here to view previous highlights.