Project launches to prevent falls in people over 65

(AGI) Modena, June 18 - The Emilia Romagna Region has allocatedfunds for an experimental research project to prevent falls inpeople over 65 years of age. The project entails freespecialist medical visits for 180 people with geriatricians,physiatrists and neurologists, and will be offered at the SantAgostino Estense hospital in Modena. "One out of three elderlypersons is at risk of losing self-sufficiency afterexperiencing a fall," reported the Modena Health Unitauthorities. "The risk rises to 70 percent if the individualhas a condition like Parkinson's or has undergone a stroke,"they added. The initiative, undertaken by the health units ofModena and Reggio Emilia, is to last 11 weeks, with a telephonefollow-up procedure to cover at the most one year. The projectin Modena will be carried out by 15 professionals in therehabilitation, geriatrics and neurology units of theBaggiovara hospital, with the support of the primary healthcare department and the post-acute long-term hospitalisationunit of the Modena polyclinic. .