The Greater Maple Valley Community Center has joined with Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety, Pinnacle Physical Therapy and Bartell Drugs to help seniors avoid falls.

The community center is offering a fall prevention program at 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The FallStop…Move Strong exercise program was designed specifically to reduce falls by improving balance, strength and flexibility. There will be a series of four different 12 minute sessions.

FallStop includes:

• a graduated exercise program which targets strengthening, coordination, flexibility and balance;

• weight-bearing activities to improve bone strength;

• education about personal and environmental risk for falls including age-related changes in our bodies and strategies, home and community mobility and safety, footwear, and recommendations for medical follow-up to review vision, medications and

• Safety strategies for everyday situations such as getting up in the middle of the night, reaching for items on high shelves, standing up from a chair or the floor

This program is free and no sign-up is necessary.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults over 65 falls each year and of those, 20 to 30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries that limit mobility and independence.

In fact, older adults are hospitalized due to fall-related injuries five times more than for other types of injuries.

Annual costs directly and indirectly related to injuries related to falls is expected to reach $54.9 billion, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

A series of four Community Forums will be offered to the general public this year, one presented each quarter, with the final two slated to happen later this year with days and times to be determined.

This program will also include home safety assessments with adaptive equipment available if deemed necessary.

All adults are welcome. For more information call 425-432-1272.