Mill Valley hosts free fall prevention event Oct. 15

Mill Valley residents can attend a fall prevention event Thursday, Oct. 15, at the city's Downtown Plaza, according to the city’s Live Well page.

"Move Better, Live Better," hosted by Live Well Mill Valley, runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The initiative supports residents of all ages and abilities, including older adults and people with disabilities. Equator Coffee and Madrona Bakery will provide refreshments.

Kristi Denton Cohen discussed fall prevention in an Oct. 4 Marin Voice column in the Marin Independent Journal. Cohen chairs Live Well Mill Valley and formerly chaired the Marin County Commission on Aging.

Cohen described her own recent fall in the column, writing that she fell on a steep trail while hiking with her sister and her smartwatch automatically called 911. "It doesn't signal weakness to wear a 'fall alert' device or watch," Cohen wrote. "It could get you out of a bad predicament or even save your life … especially if you are alone."

Mill Valley has been accepted into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, a program affiliated with the World Health Organization. The initiative uses AARP's eight Domains of Livability framework and has added a ninth for disaster and emergency preparedness because of the area’s disaster risks, according to the city.

Vivalon, a Marin County nonprofit serving older adults, also offers fall prevention programs. Residents seeking more information about the Live Well initiative can contact Tammy Herndon, the city's community and culture liaison, through the city's Live Well page.

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