Too many elderly Missourians suffer nasty falls and the state’s official senior citizen advocate wants to prevent them.

The statistics as related by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder spokesman Gary McElyea are grim.

"Falls in Missouri actually cause a number of injuries and are the leading cause of death from injury among people 65 years of age and older," says McElyea. "And, also, falls remain the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people 65 years of age and older."

The Lt. Governor is the official senior citizen advocate in Missouri. He has joined with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Citizens to launch the Show Me Falls Free Missouri.

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that nearly 50,000 senior citizens are hospitalized each year from falls while using canes and walkers. The study reported that 90% of walking aid injuries involved walkers.

McElyea says strategies to prevent falls include regular exercise, annual eye exams, improved lighting in the home as well as reducing the hazards in the home.

"Often loose carpets and lack of bathroom safety equipment such as hand rails, or even slippery surfaces can normally cause falls," according to McElyea.

For more information about the Show Me Falls Free Missouri program visit,

http://www.dhss.mo.gov/showmefallsfreemissouri/

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