Stay steady on your feet as you age BY LINDLEY ESTES The first
day of autumn, Sept. 22, is also Fall Prevention Awareness Day,
a nationally recognized date to observe ways to prevent seniors
from falling. Falling, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, is the largest contributor to injury in
elderly people. Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in
the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes, one dies
following a fall. “About one third fall and never get back up,”
said Teresa D’Orazio, special projects coordinator for
Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Associates in
Fredericksburg. “They fall and literally never get back on their
feet.” In observance of the national awareness day, Orthopedic
and Sports Physical Therapy Associates is holding a fall
prevention open house on Sept. 21. “A lot of seniors are unaware
that they can proactively prevent a fall,” D’Orazio said. At the
open house, OSPTA will offer fall risk testing done by physical
therapists, blood pressure checks, vi