Wellness & Safety
Stand your ground – Falls Prevention
- Are you afraid of falling?
- Is your cane the right height?
- Is your home safe?
- Know you should exercise but don’t?
- Worried about your balance?
Don’t know what to do? Get your questions answered and learn what it takes to prevent a fall!
Stand Your Ground is a falls prevention program created and facilitated by Generations Area Agency on Aging, Braaten Health, Genesis VNA and Hospice, Scott County Health Department, and Trinity Visiting Nurse and Homecare Association offering community workshops to seniors.
The partnership of professionals presents the risk factors and offer suggestions that can reduce your chance of falling. Specific attention is given to balance and strength, proper usage of durable medical equipment and home/environment safety. Some presentations include walker/cane checkups or balance screenings that include a print-out of your score that you can share with your doctor.
Stop Dependent Adult Abuse
The term "dependent adult" does not just refer to seniors. It includes anyone 18 years and older who requires assistance from another. Dependent adult abuse is not easy to recognize and is far less likely to be reported than child abuse.
- Types of abuse may include neglect, denial of critical care, physical violence, threats of assault, financial exploitation or sexual offense.
- It is estimated that 1 in 14 incidents of abuse in dependent adults are ever reported.
- Abuse happens at home, in nursing homes and in the community.
- Dependent adults are abused by caregivers, family members or by the adult themselves through self-neglect.
Don’t overlook the situation. If you are aware of a dependent adult who is possibly being abused or is in an unsafe situation, contact the phone numbers below.
- For abuse in the community, contact the Iowa Department of Human Services at 800-362-2178
- For abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals at 877-686-0027
- If the person is in eminent danger, dial 911.
Generations is a mandatory reporter and as a certified instructor, can provide Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter training to service providers.
Older Driver Safety
Generations endorses driver safety and encourages seniors and caregivers to get information as driving abilities change with age. However, according to the Iowa Safety Management System, research has shown that age alone does not determine driving safety or ability. One key to knowing when you may be at risk is what to look for. There are links to assessment tests and information at the National Highway and Traffic Safety website.
AARP offers an accident prevention safety program. 55 Alive is an eight hour classroom course that is specifically tailored to older drivers. The CarFit program improves safety by showing how cars can be properly adjusted for the older driver.
If driving is no longer an option, Generations can help by providing a list of transportation providers in our area along with other resources.