Care Connection for Aging Services will observe Falls Prevention Awareness Week from Sept. 20 to 25 with a new online tool to help older adults in West Central Missouri stay falls free.

Care Connection, which operates 20  senior centers in 13 counties, is committed to empowering older adults to reduce their risk of a fall — which is a major cause of serious injuries and death among people older than 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The agency  is partnering with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to call attention to a new online assessment tool available at no cost to individuals across the country. Visitors to www.ncoa.org/FallsFreeCheckUp can complete a 12-question survey that screens them for the most common falls risk factors.

“Center leaders in all our counties will distribute information about falls prevention during the week, as we work to provide older adults with opportunities to stay healthy and independent,” said Care Connection Executive Director Diana Hoemann. “We also offer a wide array of online classes, including one focused on falls prevention called ‘Matter of Balance’ that is proven to help prevent falls and reduce the fear of falling. We also offer Tai Chi, which improves strength and balance as well.”

One in four older Americans will experience a fall this year, with the cost for such accidents estimated to soar to more than $101 billion by 2030. Such falls account for 3 million injuries requiring emergency department visits, and 800,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC.

However, lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships can help reduce falls among older adults, the NCOA said.

Even if a fall doesn’t injure an older adult, the fear of falling limits activities and social engagements, resulting in physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.

Here are some tips from the NCOA for older adults:

–Find a good balance and exercise program such as the ones offered at Care Connection. Visit the events section www.goaging.org/events or call 1-800-748-7826 and ask about Connect! Online. Look to build balance, strength, and flexibility.

— Talk to your health care provider. Ask for an assessment of your risk of falling. Share your history of recent falls.

— Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist. Make sure side effects are not increasing your risk of falling. Take medications only as prescribed.

–Get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eyeglasses. Your eyes and ears are key to keeping you on your feet.

–Keep your home safe.  Remove tripping hazards, increase lighting, make stairs safe, and install grab bars in key areas.

–Talk to your family members and enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe.

Care Connection for Aging Services is a non-profit area agency on aging serving people 60 and older in 13 West Central Missouri counties: Bates, Benton, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Henry, Hickory, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Saline, St. Clair, and Vernon. The mission is to provide opportunities to create positive aging experiences. For more information, visit www.goaging.org or call 1-800-748-7826.