Council of Seniors holds slips and falls seminar

PRINCE GEORGE – While a fall or tumble is perhaps considered part of growing up, when it comes to seniors, a fall could pose as a life-changing event.

Lola-Dawn Fennell, executive director for the Prince George Council of Seniors, hosted a Fall Awareness and Prevention seminar Thursday at the Seniors Activity Centre.

According to information provided by the Council of Seniors, 85 per cent of seniors injuries are related to falls. Also, falls incur $2 billion a year in direct healthcare costs. It’s facts and concerns like these that led the Council of Seniors to launch a pilot project earlier this year for winter transit tailored for the elderly.

“It’s for seniors who are having some trouble accessing their usual mode of transportation with the roads and sidewalks being very slippery,” said Candace Miners of the Prince George Council of Seniors. “What it is, is it’s a $6 voucher. They can use it towards cab fare.”