Health & Fitness
Fri, September 28, 2012
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Today, [ Humana Inc. ] (NYSE: HUM), one of the nationas leading health and well-being companies, reminds older adults, caregivers, physicians and families of seniors about the importance of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, which will take place on Sept. 22. This is an optimal time to learn about basic prevention measures that can help protect aging adults from falls.
"Falls are not a normal part of aging"
Being prepared and taking steps to prevent falls is critical to the well-being of seniors. A recent study by Humana and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) revealed that 50 percent of physicians do not engage their members in discussions about preventing falls.
NCOA leads the national Falls Free Initiative, a collaborative effort to address the growing public health issue of falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in older adults. Humana and NCOA are continuing to analyze the study data and will release more findings soon.
aA fall can cause serious and significant medical complications and can impair functionality even after recovery,a said Todd Prewitt, MD, Director, Chronic Care Strategies at Humana. aItas falls like these that are extremely disruptive to older adultsa health. At Humana, weare working to help to improve the quality of life for our members.a
aFalls are not a normal part of aging,a said Bonita (Lynn) Beattie, Vice President of Injury Prevention at the National Council on Aging. aThere are many proven ways to reduce your risk.a
In order to prevent falls, there are several key strategies older adults can follow that will greatly reduce chances of falling. Humana recommends the following activities:
- Engaging in a physical activity regimen that includes balance, strength training, and flexibility.
- Consulting with a health professional about getting a falls risk assessment.
- Having medications reviewed periodically.
- Getting eyes checked annually.
- Making sure the home and community environments are safe and supportive.
A self assessment tool can be found in the Fall issue of Humana Active Outlook magazine, to assist and encourage members to become educated on preventing falls. The assessment card can be filled out and shown to a doctor during the next visit to a physician.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health-care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the company has relationships.
More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the companyas web site at [ www.humana.com ], including copies of:
- Annual reports to stockholders
- Securities and Exchange Commission filings
- Most recent investor conference presentations
- Quarterly earnings news releases
- Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls
- Calendar of events (including upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors)
- Corporate Governance information
About the Falls Free Initiative
Led by the National Council on Aging, the Falls Free Initiative includes more than 40 states and 70 national organizations, professional associations, and federal agencies who are working collaboratively to bring education, awareness, and evidence-based solutions to local communities. Falls Free seeks to provide hundreds of thousands of older Americans with the resources and education needed to reduce their risk of injury.
About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOAas mission is to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. [ www.NCOA.org ] | [ www.facebook.com/NCOAging ] | [ www.twitter.com/NCOAging ]
