‘Prevent Falls Resource Fair’ to Address Top Calls to Action in Marathon County LIFE Report

September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month in Wisconsin. Many people think falls are a normal part of aging, but they’re not. Most falls can be prevented. That’s why the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin and Aspirus Health are coming together to hold the 4 th Annual “Improve Your Balance, Prevent Falls Resource Fair” in Wausau.

Event Details:

Date: September 15, 2026

Time: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Lake View Conference Center, 1000 Lake View Dr., Wausau (Use Parking Lot E or F. Enter Door 31.)

Sponsored by: Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central WI and Aspirus Health

This year’s event is focused on addressing one of the top calls to action in the 2026 Marathon County LIFE Report, “Aging in the Community,” by connecting older adults to community-based supports to help them prevent falls and safely age in our communities. Falls among older adults are the top cause of injury-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls in Marathon County.

“In addition to impacting systems of care in the community, falls can have a severe impact on quality of life for older adults,” said Amanda Tabin, Injury Prevention Coordinator for Aspirus Wausau Hospital’s Trauma Department. “The good news is that there are proven steps individuals can take to help prevent falls and community resources that can help.”

Event attendees will complete a short fall risk screening upon arrival to help identify their individual risk factors. The screening tool will then guide attendees to booths with resources and services that can help address their specific risk factors. Booths will include experts in topics including balance and strengthening exercises, home safety, assistive devices, medications, vision, hearing, bone health, and much more. Additional screenings will be available including screenings for strength and balance, hearing, and vision.

New for the 2026 Prevent Falls Resource Fair: There will be short demonstrations of different types of exercise classes geared toward the older adult population (participation is optional). To support another top call to action from the LIFE Report, “Civic Engagement,” the Wisconsin Institute of Healthy Aging and Marathon County Healthy Aging Coalition will also be educating participants about opportunities to share input on the needs of the older adult population and how to contact their local, state, and federal representatives.

“Events like the ‘Prevent Falls Resource Fair’ help older adults learn about actions they can take to support healthy aging and the community resources available to help them stay strong, safe, and independent,” said Jennifer Clark of the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central WI. “It’s a great reminder that aging is not simply about adding years to life, but it’s also about empowering older adults to take steps to add life to those years.”

Falls data from the Wisconsin Institute of Healthy Aging:

• Wisconsin has the highest death rate due to older adult falls out of any state in the country.
• Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations in Wisconsin and a top cause for EMS medical response calls.
• More than one in four older adults fall every year.
• Every 11 seconds an older adult somewhere in the United States (US) is admitted to an emergency department for a fall.
• More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
• In the US, falls cost more than $50 billion in medical costs each year.