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.

 

Fifth Annual "10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls"
Monday, Sept. 23, 2019

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 asked all Ohioans to help take “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, and throughout the month of September.

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.  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.

 

2019 Results:

  • 114 Local walking events or groups
  • 13,242 participants
  • 50,693 miles walked
  • 126.7 million steps for falls prevention

 

2019 "10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls" partners:

  • Altercare Coshocton
  • Alzheimer's Association
  • Appalachian Ohio Fall Prevention Coalition
  • Area Agency on Aging 3
  • Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.
  • Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2
  • Area Agency on Aging, Region 9, Inc.
  • Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
  • Ashland County Health Department
  • Aultman Hospital
  • Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Aging and Disability
  • Carr Center
  • Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley
  • Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
  • Central Ohio Primary Care
  • Cincinnati State Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
  • City of Cleveland Department of Aging
  • Clermont Senior Services
  • Cleveland Regional Ombudsman Program
  • Community Partnership on Aging
  • Coshocton Senior Center
  • Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
  • Crawford County Council on Aging
  • Defiance County General Health District
  • Delaware Court Healthcare Center
  • Direction Home Akron Canton
  • Direction Home of Eastern Ohio
  • Erie County Health Department
  • Fairfield County ODOT District 5
  • Fairhill Partners
  • Green Hills Community
  • Greene County Public Health
  • Greene Inc.
  • Grove City Lacrosse Club
  • Hillandale Communities
  • Holmes County General Health District
  • Integrate Athens
  • Kendal at Home
  • Kingston Mound Manor Residents
  • La La Love Healthcare, LLC
  • Licking County Aging Program
  • Meals on Wheels - Fairfield County
  • Memorial Hospital of Marysville
  • Mercy Health - St. Vincent Medical Center Trauma Program
  • Muskingum County Center for Seniors
  • Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging
  • Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
  • Ohio Department of Administrative Services
  • Ohio Department of Aging
  • Ohio Department of Commerce
  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
  • Ohio Department of Medicaid
  • Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
  • Ohio Emergency Management Agency
  • Ohio Health Care Association
  • Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board
  • Ohio Veterans Home - Sandusky
  • OhioHealth
  • Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
  • Ottawa County Senior Resources & Riverview Health Care Campus
  • Preble County Council on Aging
  • Prime Time Office on Aging
  • ProMedica Total Rehab
  • Putnam County Council on Aging, Inc.
  • Riverside 9 Silver Spine Team
  • Salvation Army Center Hill Senior Center
  • Salvation Army of Canton Citadel
  • Scioto County Department of Job and Family Services
  • SourcePoint - Stepping Up to Prevent Falls Coalition of Delaware County
  • State Library of Ohio
  • Stepping with the Seniors
  • TourismOhio
  • United Seniors of Athens County
  • University Hospitals St. John Medical Center
  • Vantage Aging
  • VRI
  • Washington Township Enrichment Center
  • Williams County Department of Aging
  • Worthen Walking Group
  • Yellow Springs Senior Center
  • Youngstown State University's Departments of Physical Therapy and Gerontology