Older Adults Encouraged To Get Active To Prevent Falls

Toronto Public Health, along with public health units in the Regions of Durham, Halton, Peel and York, is celebrating the International Day of Older Persons, with the launch of an energetic communications campaign to encourage older adults to get active. The goal of "Make a Splash!" is to remind adults 55 years and older to get up and get moving in order to help prevent injury from falls.

"Many older adults are injured in falls," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. "Daily activity is an effective way to help prevent injuries from falls."

Thirty to 60 minutes of activity per day is needed to protect and improve health, said Dr. McKeown. "The safest way to reach the level is by slowing increasing your activity level in 10-minute intervals."

The facts:

• Every 10 minutes in Ontario, at least one older adult (65 years and older) visits an emergency department due to a fall.

• Every 30 minutes in Ontario, at least one older adult is admitted to hospital due to a fall.

• In Toronto in 2006, older adults accounted for 4,086 hospital stays and 17,250 emergency department visits due to a fall.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years, Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.