Scottsbluff, NE - In recognition of Nebraska Older Adult Falls Prevention Awareness Day, Governor Dave Heineman signed a proclamation acknowledging honoring September 22 as part of Fall Prevention Week. Health Departments and area agencies across the state are celebrating the day, including Regional West Medical Center and its Trauma Services department.

Community members and residents alike have been enjoying a new program called Tai Chi Easy, from Roger Jahnke, OMD. According to the Panhandle Public Health District, (PPHD) 30 people in the panhandle participated in Tai Chi Easy Facilitator™ Training with Dr. Jahnke in July 2008. Since then, they have been leading sessions at work sites and for the public in nine western Nebraska counties. To date, 1,079 panhandle residents have participated in Tai Chi Easy demonstrations and 309 people have participated in ongoing sessions.

What do fall awareness and Tai Chi Easy™ have in common? According to the PPHD, practicing Tai Chi Easy™ triggers key physical and psychological health benefits that may reduce fall risk, including;
- Stress relief
- Balance
- Heart health
- Immune system boost
- Mental focus

The trauma department at Regional West would also like to remind people that as winter weather begins to hit our area, people will be spending more time outside battling the elements. While we typically associate falls with outdoor accidents, there are number of things you can do to decrease your chance of falling, even in your own home.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, tips to make your home safer include:

- Remove the things you have stacked or piled near stairs, and places you walk, that you could trip over. Think about electrical cords, books, magazines, clothes, etc.
- Keep items you use regularly in cabinets you can reach without a step stool.
- Have grab bars placed near the tub and toilet.
- Use non-slip mats next to the toilet and in the tub and/or shower.
- Improve the lighting in your home. As we age, the body needs more light to see well. Lamp shades or frosted bulbs can help reduce the glare from bright lights.
- Install handrails and lights on all staircases.

Other tips to reduce the risks of falls include: beginning a regular exercise program, having your health care provider review your current medication list, and getting your vision checked regularly. These are only a few suggestions to ensure a happy, healthy autumn, without a fall. For more information please call Boni Carrell, Regional West , Trauma Services Injury Prevention Coordinator, at 308-630-1703.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, we offer care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.