PHOENIX, Ariz. – One in every three adults age 65 and older experiences a fall every year, and it’s an issue that is largely preventable.  The fear of falling can actually make some people more vulnerable to falls.  That’s why Banner Health will be hosting “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls,” a series of fall prevention workshops designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels at six of their facilities in the Valley.

“A Matter of Balance” is an eight-week series that meets 9-11:30  a.m. every Friday, beginning Jan. 11 through March 1, 2013. To register at the location closest to you, call 602-230-CARE (2273).

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Banner Desert Medical Center, Banner Estrella Medical Center, Banner Boswell Medical Center, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center will all host a fall prevention class in partnership with A. T. Still University at each listed medical center. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable; set realistic goals to increase activity; change their environment to reduce fall risk factors; and, exercise to increase strength and balance.

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults age 65 and older falls each year. Among those age 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury death. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.

The chances of falling and of being seriously injured in a fall increase with age. In 2010 falls represented 43 percent of traumatic brain injury hospitalizations, according to the Arizona Department of Health services website, www.azdhs.gov.