TWINSBURG (September 23, 2015) – On September 23rd, National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, 65 area residents gathered at Liberty Park Nature Center to fight the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits among Ohioans age 65 or better. The event called “Strength in Every Step” was among 50 organized gatherings across Ohio that participated in Steady U Ohio’s “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” program. The program was created to build awareness that falls are not a normal part of the aging process and that they can be prevented.
Every step from the wide range of participants, age 62 to 92, mattered as the group helped work towards the state’s goal of 10 million steps. At the conclusion of the event, the group covered 54 miles and approximately 121,824 steps.
“Without this event, we never would have known about the great trails and nature center that we have so close to us right here in Twinsburg,” expressed Cheryl Frank and Rosemarie Zavesky.
Many left the event with a new appreciation for walking and a goal to incorporate it into their daily lives to improve their health. According to Steady U Ohio, simply 15-30 minutes of physical activity each day can help prevent falls, strengthen muscles, improve balance, and increase stamina.
Twinsburg Senior Center and Twinsburg Fitness Center collaborated to organize the event with assistance from Grande Village who provided lunch and Summit MetroParks who offered the program pavilion.