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BROOKLYN — The Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) is again teaming with a number of community partners to host a Fall Prevention Exposition at the Veterans Stand Down from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8 at Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) in Danielson.
“Thanks to funding provided by the Connecticut Collaboration for Fall Prevention (CCFP), we are excited to return to the Stand Down for our second year,” said Linda Colangelo, NDDH education and communications coordinator. “We are grateful to QVCC and the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse for providing space, and the community partners who are offering free screenings to local veterans in order to identify and reduce their risk of falling.”
There is no registration required and all screenings will be offered on a first come, first served basis. “We are encouraging veterans aged 65 and older to get screened,” said Colangelo.
NDDH and Day Kimball Healthcare at Home (DKHH) both received funding from the CCFP and have been collaborating on a number of community fall prevention clinics to provide education and screenings to seniors in towns served by both agencies.
For the Fall Prevention Expo at the Stand Down, NDDH will partner with DKHH and Generations Family Health Center to screen for and provide screenings for postural hypotension blood pressure, a form of low pressure that occurs when a person stands up from a lying or sitting position. This drop in blood pressure can cause dizziness and tiredness which can lead to falling. Veterans will also receive Tinetti Balance Assessments to identify issues that may come when rising from a chair, standing, turning, and walking with or without assistive devices.
Day Kimball Healthcare pharmacists will also be on hand to offer free medication reviews. People on four or more medications are at an increased risk of falling. Expo organizers encourage attendees to bring a complete, up-to-date list of medications with them for a free review.
Additional fall prevention services will include free hearing and wax screenings by Amplisound Hearing Care Centers, and the Danielson Lions will provide free vision screenings.
Veterans can also take advantage of free fitness tests by the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center; skin cancers screenings by Timothy Monahan, MD, of the Day Kimball Medical Group; and ultrasound screenings for carotid artery disease and venous disease with The Vascular Experts from Shelton.
“We expanded the screening offerings as a result of the success of last year’s Fall Prevention Expo at the Veterans Stand Down,” said Annie Hill, veterans associate at QVCC. “I encourage all veterans planning to attend to take advantage of the many free screenings, services, and opportunities that will be available to them at this important event.”
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