Jamaica Hospital Medical Center -- Department of Public Affairs -- 8900 Van Wyck Expressway Jamaica, New York 11418
For Immediate Release
Name: Xavia Malcolm
Telephone: 718-206-6746
Email: xmalcolm@jhmc.org
Jamaica Hospital Kicks Off Their Falls Prevention Tour This September
Sep 26,2018
With an increasing population entering retirement age each year in New York City, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has observed a spike in patients admitted to the Emergency Department due to falls.
According to the New York State Department of Health, “Fall injuries are rising among our older adult population. From 2000 to 2014, the rate of all-related deaths increased more than 33 percent and the rate of hospitalizations increased by more than 4 percent. Each day during 2014, there were 304 emergency department visits, 143 hospitalizations and 3 deaths due to falls among residents 65 years and older.”
In order to combat this public health issue, Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division is collaborating with eleven senior centers throughout Queens to develop a Falls Prevention Workshop Tour. These workshops will educate senior citizen populations on ways to minimize risk factors leading to injuries and fatalities from falls. Presentations will be given by Physical Therapist & Rehabilitation Director, Marylin Ramos, Occupational Therapist, Renee Card, and Injury Prevention Coordinator, Alex Ariza.
Risk factors such as weak muscles, vision impairment, problems with balance, chronic conditions, and medication side-effects all affect seniors in significant ways leading to falls. The presentation aims to address each issue and provide solutions such as evidence-based exercise programs, home safety evaluations, and frequent physical and medication reviews with their physician to help manage risk.
By speaking directly to senior citizens, Jamaica Hospital hopes to diminish the number of trauma cases directly related to preventable falls. The Department of Health has stated most falls account for “$1.7 billion in annual hospitalization charges and $145.3 million in annual outpatient emergency department charges. Approximately 95% of the hospitalization charges are billed to publicly funded programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare.”
The Falls Prevention Workshop Tour dates can be seen here: https://jamaicahospital.org/clinical-services/trauma-center/upcoming-events/