ORLANDO, Fla. – Given that falls are the primary cause of fatal injuries among Americans aged 65 and over, a local senior care facility is adopting a creative strategy to prevent these incidents through educational initiatives and active participation.

InnovAge Orlando, part of the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), recently organized “Fallapalooza,” a week-long event combining entertainment with essential fall prevention lessons for older adults.

“Throughout the week, we are offering various activities to teach you about fall prevention,” announced staff during one of the lively sessions, which included engaging food crafts and fun competitions to keep seniors active and involved.

Opened in April 2024 through a collaboration with Orlando Health, the center aims to help seniors preserve their autonomy. John Foscolos, Nursing Director at InnovAge Orlando, highlights the vital role of mobility in achieving this objective.

“We try to keep them independent. We try to keep them mobile,” Foscolos said. “Movement is life. So that’s what we go by.”

The program’s effectiveness is reflected in participants like Michael Varney, who joined InnovAge last year using a wheelchair. Thanks to the center’s physical therapy and social programs, Varney has achieved significant improvements.

“I haven’t used my wheelchair for five months now. I haven’t even touched it. I refuse to. No cane, no walker,” Varney shared. “I attribute this to InnovAge and the support and guidance I’ve received from them.”

Varney understands the serious risks that mobility challenges pose to seniors. “

Simple, small things that can prevent them breaking their hip or falling on the floor, or being stuck on the floor with no help, it could be a major setback that could threaten their wellbeing,” he explained.

Foscolos points out that fall prevention extends beyond physical activity. Family members and caregivers play a crucial role in identifying potential risks.

“A lot of falls are due to overmedication, and a lot of seniors are overmedicated,” Foscolos noted.

He advises families to stay alert for warning signs: “If they feel lightheaded sitting up from the couch and they tell you ‘ugh I feel dizzy’ that’s a sign that something’s going on and it’s a potential fall.”

While Fallapalooza week has concluded, the center’s commitment to fall prevention continues. Shaun Blackshear, Center Director at InnovAge Orlando, emphasized that fall prevention remains a constant priority.

“It’s really an all-year intervention that we’re looking to do to be able to prevent falls within our senior population,” Blackshear said.

InnovAge’s PACE center in Orlando serves seniors in Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, offering comprehensive healthcare and social services designed to help older adults avoid nursing facilities while maintaining their independence in their own homes.