Current Suspected Overdose Deaths in Delaware for 2024: Get Help Now!

Find school water testing results and additional resources

Attention Medicaid Participants: Eligibility Renewals Restarted April 1, 2023

Delaware.gov logo

DHSS Press Release



Molly Magarik, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: Jill.Fredel@delaware.gov

DPH Media Contact:
Mary Fenimore
Email: DPHMedia@Delaware.gov

Date: September 13, 2021
DHSS-9-2021





GOVERNOR CARNEY PROCLAIMS SEPT. 20-24 AS FALLS PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK IN DELAWARE


DOVER, DE (September 13, 2021) - Falls can be disabling and are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the United States, particularly among older adults and young children, according to the Mayo Clinic. To raise awareness about fall-related injuries, especially among seniors, Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long proclaimed September 20-24, 2021, as Falls Prevention Awareness Week in Delaware and encouraged Delawareans to do their part.

One in four U.S. adults over the age of 65 experiences a fall each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. Falls can have devastating consequences such as bone fractures, brain injury and temporary or permanent disability. Additionally, falls are a leading cause of death in adults over 65, and the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for almost all age groups.

"Focusing on our health has never been more important", said Governor Carney. "Creating a safer environment can reduce the risk of falling for people of all ages, especially the elderly."

Among older adults, falls can be caused by tripping over one's own feet or clutter in the house, vision problems, medication, poor balance or weak leg muscles. The Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention's (DCIP) Falls Prevention team advises seniors to get regular vision and hearing checkups, eat nutritious foods and beverages, stay hydrated, get regular exercise and discuss their risk for falling with their health care provider.

"By getting regular checkups and saying physically active, older adults and those at risk for balance disorders can prevent falls and the debilitating injuries caused by them," said Lt. Governor Hall-Long.

To help foster a falls-free Delaware, the DCIP's Falls Prevention team asks communities, businesses, schools, organizations, and households to follow this safety advice:

To improve coordination and balance, older Delawareans can enroll in A Matter of Balance© classes that are held in communities throughout the state. For a schedule of A Matter of Balance© classes, call Volunteer Delaware 50+ at 302-255-9882 in New Castle County and 302-515-3020 in Kent and Sussex counties.

ChristianaCare offers BingoCize, an evidence-based fall prevention program integrating Bingo and exercise, as well as the ThinkFirst to Prevent Falls© program, which can be done either virtually or in person. The ThinkFirst program addresses home modifications, medications, balance, healthy eating, and other strategies to prevent falls. To schedule these programs and obtain more information, send an email to injuryprevention@christianacare.org.

The DCIP's Falls Prevention Team and the Modern Maturity Center will hold a Falls Prevention Bingo and Resource Fair at the center on September 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event is open to the public. The Modern Maturity Center is located at 1121 Forrest Ave. in Dover. Visit www.modern-maturity.org for more information. To learn more about falls and falls prevention, refer to the CDC's Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) program at https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html and the National Council on Aging at https://www.ncoa.org/.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.



Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.





+