CONCORD, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – Falls are a major health concern for older adults, but they don’t have to be inevitable as we age.

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office, in collaboration with the New Hampshire Falls Risk Reduction Task Force, is dedicating this week Falls Prevention Awareness Week, according to a news release. This annual event, supported by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), aims to help older adults in New Hampshire lower their risk of falls, which are one of the leading causes of injury and death among people aged 65 and older.

In New Hampshire, falls were responsible for 239 deaths, over 4,000 hospitalizations, and more than 14,000 emergency room visits in 2021, according to the New Hampshire Division of Health & Human Services. With around 20 percent of the state’s population over 65, and one in four of these individuals experiencing a fall annually, addressing this issue is critical, the release said.

While falls pose a serious risk, they are largely preventable. Evidence-based interventions—such as strength and balance exercises, proper medication management, home safety modifications, and vision care—have proven to reduce fall risks effectively and affordably. Residents looking to explore falls prevention programs in New Hampshire can find resources at www.NHfalls.org.

As part of this year’s awareness campaign, the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office is encouraging older adults and their caregivers to take advantage of a free online tool that assesses fall risks. The tool, available nationwide at www.ncoa.org/tools/falls-free-checkup, allows users to complete a brief questionnaire that identifies potential risks for falling.