LAYTON — Falls are a leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations among the Utah elderly population.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately three million Americans end up in the emergency department from an unintentional fall.

From Monday through Friday, Fall Prevention Awareness Week focuses on helping older adults live healthy, independent lives without the fear of falling. This year’s theme is “From Awareness to Action.”

“The unfortunate truth is that for a number of reasons, our social connections shrink with age,” said Dr. Gordon Harkness, a medical director at Optum Health.

“Whether from a lack of mobility, our children moving away, or the reality of more of our friends and family passing away the older we get, we seem to have fewer and fewer social connections, just as we need them the most.”

Social isolation is common among seniors to begin with, Harkness said, and can worsen after a fall.

“If you fall once, there’s this fear that you’re going to fall again. And we tend to avoid things we’re afraid of as much as we can,” he said. “So the fear of falling can create a harmful cycle, where we withdraw from social situations, which can lead to less physical activity, which can lead to a higher risk of falling again.”

Harkness said while falls can seem inevitable with aging, they can often be prevented through simple lifetime adjustments such as regular strength and balance activities, going through the house and inspecting potential dangers such as loose rugs and clutter and installing grab bars and non-slip mats in the tub and shower.

During the week, Optum, which runs a free community center for seniors, will hold Music In Motion classes, which blends gentle, low impact, rhythmic movement exercises to music. The class, which helps improve balance and stability, will be held at the Layton facility.

“Music in Motion is great exercise,” instructor Nick Cendese said. “But it’s so much more than that. It’s about moving with purpose, gaining self-confidence and connecting with others.”

Chair yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, strength and endurance training and line dancing classes are also offered at the facility.

“You’re improving your balance, you’re getting stronger, yes. But you’re having fun too,” Cendese said. “And you’re making friends. You’re building a community.”

The community center is located at 2146 N. Main Street, suite #514. Music in Motion will be held Tuesday from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. For other class dates and times, visit optum.com or call 385-423-3585.

Some tips to prevent falls from Utah.gov and Optum Health:

• Check vision and hearing annually.
• Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs and clutter in walkways.
• Install grab bars next to toilets, tubs and showers.
• Make sure there’s adequate lighting in hallways and bedrooms.
• Review all medications. Some of them can increase the risk of falling because of side effects that include dizziness and sleepiness.
• Begin a regular exercise program to improve strength and balance.