See All The Events Happening in Louisville for Optimal Aging Month 2019
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It's Time for the Leaves to Change, Football, and All Things Pumpkin Spice...
But This Month, Let's Talk About The Other Type of Fall!
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Debunking the Myths of Older Adult and Persons with Disabilities.
Many people think falls are a normal part of aging or just another part of a chronic disease process. The truth is, they’re not. Most falls can be prevented—and you have the power to reduce your risk. Exercising, managing your medications, having your vision checked, and making your living environment safer are all steps you can take to prevent a fall. Every year on the first day of fall, we celebrate National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to bring attention to this growing public health issue. To promote greater awareness and understanding here are 10 common myths—and the reality—about older adult falls:
Myth 1: Falling happens to other people, not to me. Reality: Many people think, “It won’t happen to me.” But the truth is that 1 in 4 older adults
fall every year in the U.S.
Myth 2: Falling is something normal that happens as you get older. Reality: Falling is not a normal part of aging. Strength and balance exercises, managing your medications, having your vision checked and making your living environment safer are all steps you can take to prevent a fall.
Myth 3: If I limit my activity, I won’t fall. Reality: Some people believe that the best way to prevent falls is to stay at home and limit activity. Not true. Performing physical activities will actually help you stay independent, as your strength and range of motion benefit from remaining active. Social activities are also
good for your overall health.
Myth 4: As long as I stay at home, I can avoid falling. Reality: Over half of all falls take place at home. Inspect your home for fall risks. Fix simple
but serious hazards such as clutter, throw rugs, and poor lighting. Make simple home modifications, such as adding grab bars in the bathroom, a second handrail on stairs, and non-slip paint on outdoor steps.
Myth 5: Muscle strength and flexibility can’t be regained. Reality: While we do lose muscle as we age, exercise can partially restore strength and flexibility. It’s never too late to start an exercise program. Even if you’ve been a “couch potato” your whole life, becoming active now will benefit you in many ways—including
protection from falls.
Myth 6: Taking medication doesn't increase my risk of falling. Reality: Taking any medication may increase your risk of falling. Medications affect people
in many different ways and can sometimes make you dizzy or sleepy. Be careful when starting a new medication. Talk to your health care provider about potential side effects or interactions of your medications.
Myth 7: I don’t need to get my vision checked every year. Reality: Vision is another key risk factor for falls. Aging is associated with some forms of
vision loss that increase risk of falling and injury. People with vision problems are more than twice as likely to fall as those without visual impairment. Have your eyes checked at least once a year and update your eyeglasses. For those with low vision there are programs and assistive devices that can help. Ask your optometrist for a referral.
Myth 8: Using a walker or cane will make me more dependent. Reality: Walking aids are very important in helping many older adults maintain or improve
their mobility. However, make sure you use these devices safely. Have a physical therapist fit the walker or cane to you and instruct you in its safe use.
Myth 9: I don’t need to talk to family members or my health care provider if I’m concerned about my risk of falling. I don’t want to alarm them, and I want to keep my independence. Reality: Fall prevention is a team effort. Bring it up with your doctor, family, and anyone else who is in a position to help. They want to help you maintain your mobility and reduce your risk of falling.
Myth 10: I don’t need to talk to my parent, spouse, or other older adult if I’m concerned
about their risk of falling. It will hurt their feelings, and it’s none of my business. Reality: Let them know about your concerns and offer support to help them maintain the highest degree of independence possible. There are many things you can do, including
removing hazards in the home, finding a fall prevention program in the community, or setting up a vision exam.
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You Have Until September 30th Tell Your Elected Officials How Important The Older Americans Act Is To You!!
 Members of Congress will return to DC this month to tackle decisions about federal funding for FY 2020. The Bipartisan Budget Agreement that increased overall federal budget caps for FY2020 and FY2021 sets the stage for lawmakers to finalize spending decisions by the end of September when current FY2019 funding expires.
In order to finalize all FY 2020 discretionary funding bills, including those for Older Americans Act and other critical aging programs, the House and the Senate will need to agree on funding levels for thousands of individual programs. The good news is that earlier this summer the House passed significant increases for OAA and other important federal aging programs. This means advocates need to encourage Senate appropriators to adopt the House-passed increases for critical aging supports!
It’s vital that you, your agency, and your grassroots advocates connect with federal lawmakers NOW about the importance of adopting funding increases for Older Americans Act (OAA) and other aging programs.
Please augment the appropriations outreach that you have already done with your Members of Congress by asking your grassroots to take action, too. We need Members of Congress—especially in the Senate—to hear directly from their constituents who benefit from the OAA programs and services that you deliver.
How Can You Take Action?
- Contact your Senators and Representatives to let them know that achieving a bipartisan re-authorization is critical this fall! If your Senator sits on the Senate HELP Committee or if your Representative serves on the House Education and Labor Committee, it is especially important that you urge them to support moving OAA reauthorization forward!
- CALL: The Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) can connect you to your lawmakers’ offices.
- EMAIL: Find the website information for your House and Senate Members and urge them to support moving OAA reauthorization forward there.
- If your Representative and/or Senator is not on the key committees, ask them to contact their colleagues who are on the Senate HELP or House Education and Labor Committees, which both have jurisdiction over OAA. Help us show broad support for OAA re-authorization by urging House and Senate offices to call the Committees to ask about the status of OAA re-authorization negotiations.
- Engage your grassroots network to advocate for OAA re-authorization! To get this done, our voices must be loud and numerous! Activate your networks through email, social media and any other advocacy tools to contact Congress and push for OAA re-authorization to be achieved by September 30. Consider engaging your advisory board/committee members, the provider organizations you work with, the older adults and caregivers you serve, and other aging advocates in your community.
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 U.S. Access Board Releases Voluntary Guidelines for Onboard Wheelchairs for Public Comment
The U.S. Access Board has released for public comment advisory guidelines for wheelchairs used on commercial passenger aircraft during flight. These onboard wheelchairs are provided by air carriers as a means of facilitating the transfer of passengers with disabilities to aircraft lavatories since personal wheelchairs cannot be used in the cabin.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has expressed its intention to supplement its regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to include performance standards for onboard wheelchairs on covered aircraft. The Board is developing these non-binding guidelines as technical assistance to air carriers and manufacturers of onboard wheelchairs by providing an example of how to meet DOT's planned performance standards. See related information, including instructions for submitting comments (Docket ATBCB-2019-0002).
As indicated in a notice published in the Federal Register, the guidelines specify dimensions, features, and capabilities for onboard wheelchairs that will allow passengers with disabilities to be more safely and comfortably transported aboard airplanes in flight. In addition, the guidelines include criteria to allow the onboard wheelchair to fully enter the lavatory in a backward orientation and be positioned over a closed toilet, and for the lavatory door to be closed. This feature would afford those passengers who cannot independently transfer to the toilet to have privacy in performing non-toileting tasks related to personal hygiene or medical needs. The Board has posed a number of questions to the public about specific provisions in the guidelines, but welcomes input on all portions of the document.
As part of a negotiated rulemaking to improve access for air travelers with disabilities, DOT has put forth plans to supplement its ACAA regulations and require onboard wheelchairs with enhanced functionality on aircraft with more than 125 passenger seats.
Comments are due October 21, 2019. In addition, on September 12, 2019, the Board will hold a public hearing that will provide an opportunity to submit comments either in person or by phone. Further details will be posted on the Board's website.
Public Hearing on Advisory Guidelines for Aircraft Onboard Wheelchairs September 12, 2019, 9:30 - 4:00 (ET) Remote attendance options will be posted. Access Board Conference Center 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, D.C.
Note: For the comfort of all participants and to promote a fragrance-free environment, attendees are requested not to use perfume, cologne, or other fragrances.
Those who wish to provide testimony at the hearing should contact Rose Marie Bunales at (202) 272-0006 (voice) or bunales@access-board.gov by September 5, 2019.
For further details on the guidelines or the public hearing, contact Wendy Marshall at (202) 272-0043 (voice) or marshall@access-board.gov, or Mario Damiani at (202) 272-0050 (voice) or damiani@access-board.goveholder text.
Your Story Can Protect SNAP Access
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed a regulation that would, by the USDA's own estimates, take SNAP access from 660,000 senior households. Comments about this change are being accepted until September 23. Currently in use by over 40 states, this option allows states to waive asset tests and reduce their administrative burdens. The USDA's own analysis shows that older adults would be disproportionately hurt by this proposal. Learn more in our Nutrition & Hunger Advocacy Toolkit.
The USDA is accepting comments on the proposed changes until Sept. 23, 2019, and your comment can help stop these changes! It is critical that as many people as possible submit their views explaining why they oppose this rule. When you enter your contact information below, you will be able to access a template that you can add your own words to in order to make your comment unique. If you don’t add your personal story, the government won’t count your comment.
Need help with adding your story to these comments? Here are some tips:
- Personalize the subject line.
- Add information about your organization, where it is located, and its mission.
- Describe your experiences with serving older adults, what their needs are, and why SNAP is important for them.
- Share a personal story that demonstrates how this rule might affect you or people you know.
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