15-20 minutes of walking each day helps older adults:

* Keep muscles strong and flexible

* Prevent weight gain

* Lower risk of chronic disease

* Improve balance and prevent falls

Three ways to help take...

1. Walk at least one mile in September and post a selfie to social media with #10MStepsOH and #PreventFalls.

2. Find a "10 Million Steps" event or group near you.

3. Organize and register a walking group or event.

Walking Tips for Older Adults

Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

Walk as quickly as you can but still hold a conversation without losing your breath.

Use a cane or walker for extra stability, if needed.

Walk with a group for added encouragement.

Talk to your doctor if you have pain, dizziness or other problems while walking.

 

Fourth Annual "10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls"
Friday, Sept. 21, 2018

 Find an event/group near you

 Register your event/group

 Report your event/group results

One in three Ohioans over age 60 will fall this year, and for many of them, that fall could lead to a life-changing injury or even death. However, falls are not a normal part of aging, and most falls can be prevented.

STEADY U OhioTo celebrate National Falls Prevention Awareness Day and to raise awareness of the many ways older Ohioans can minimize their risks, the Ohio Department of Aging's STEADY U Ohio initiative asks all Ohioans to help take “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, and throughout the month of September.

Regular physical activity is one of the most basic things older adults can do to prevent falls, which is why walking is the focus of this annual event.

You can participate in three ways:

  1. Take a one-mile walk any time during September and post a selfie to social media using the hashtags #PreventFalls and #10MStepsOH. Be sure to set your post privacy settings to "public" so everyone can see that you participated. Posts will be counted toward the state’s goal.
  2. Participate in a “10 Million Steps” group or event in your community. Dozens of community organizations partner with the Department of Aging to sponsor local walking events with information and resources to help you and your loved ones prevent falls. The list is still growing, so check back often! See the list.
  3. Organize your own group of co-workers, club members, sports teams, classrooms, neighbors, congregation members or other groups and host your own “10 Million Steps” walking group or event.

We can stop older adult falls and fall-related injuries, 10 million steps at a time!

10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls
10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls

Host a "10 Million Steps" Event or Group

Community-based organizations, businesses, state and local government agencies, faith based organizations, families, friend groups and other interested partners are invited to host local events to help us take “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” throughout September.

Learn more and register as a "10 Million Steps" group or event host.

Report your participation.

 

We smashed our goal in 2017! Help us do it again in 2018.

The goal of "10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls" is to have at least 4,000 Ohioans walk a minimum of one mile in the name of falls prevention (4,000 participants x 2,500 average steps per mile = 10 million steps). In 2017, during the third annual "Ten Million Steps to Prevent Falls," Ohio smashed that goal: 53 community partners hosted 57 walking groups or events in which 4,935 individuals of all ages walked more than 22,000 miles - that's more than 56 million steps to prevent falls!

Join us and be a part of our success in 2018 - Register your event or group today!

Thank you, Ohio! 56 Million Steps to Prevent Falls

News Release: Ohio communities smash goal to take “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls”