Fall Prevention¹

Kristen D. Smith²

This publication is available only in PDF format. The following is a description of this publication:

Fall Prevention

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by the year 2050 the nation's elderly population will more than double to 80 million; and the more frail, over-85 population will quadruple: to 18 million. Currently, Florida ranks first in the United States in the percent of the population that consists of full-time and seasonal residents over the age 65. Older Floridians, their families and communities face a myriad of issues related to aging.

Introduction

Compared to most disciplines, the study of aging is a new science. Those of us who work in this field are stepping in unknown grounds. There is much to learn and much to contribute as our society ages and we strive to improve the lives of older adults. As we move forward, it is important to remember that aging in not only about older adults. It is about their families, the communities they live in, and the influence they exert on our society both direct and indirectly.

An eight-topic program, Aging in the 21st Century addresses:

∙ The Future of Aging is Florida, Jeffrey Dwyer, PhD. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2209/FY624 -FOR PROFESSIONAL AUDIENCES

∙ Family Relationships in an Aging Society,Terry Mills, PhD. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2210/FY625

∙ Safe Return, Meredeth Rowe, RN, PhD. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2211/FY626

∙ Financial Issues, Jo Turner, PhD, CFP. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2212/FY627

∙ Elder Nutrition, Linda Bobroff, PhD, RD, LD/N. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2213/FY628 -FOR PROFESSIONAL AUDIENCES

∙ Fall Prevention, Kristen Smith, MPH. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2214/FY629

∙ Adapting the Home, Pat Dasler, MA, OTR/L. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2215/FY630

∙ Designing Educational Programs for Older Adults, Carolyn Wilken, PhD, MPH. To print or view the entire publication, click on FCS2216/FY631

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Footnotes

1. This document is FCS2214/FY629, one of a series of publications from the distance education in-service "Aging in the 21st Century," coordinated by Carolyn Wilken, PhD, MPH, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, UF/IFAS. First published: September 2003. Reviewed by Candice King, formerly coordinator of Research Programs, Institute on Aging. University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

2. Kristen D. Smith, MPH, assistant director, UF MPH Program, Department of Health Policy and Epidemiology, Univesity of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

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The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.