For Americans 65 and older, falling down can be the worst thing to happen to them, according to statistics from the National Council on Aging:

• One in three seniors experiences a significant fall each year

• Every 18 seconds, a senior is admitted into an emergency room after losing balance and hitting the ground

• Every 35 minutes, an elderly person dies from a fall -- the leading cause of death for seniors

“The projected cost in health-care expenses for 2020 due to fall-related injuries in the United States is $55 billion,” says Karen Peterson, a therapist with multiple certifications, and author of “Move With Balance: Healthy Aging Activities for Brain and Body,” (www.MoveWithBalance.org). She’s also the founder and director of Giving Back, a nonprofit organization that grows and spreads programs that support senior health. “It’s important for seniors to keep moving and learning, that’s what helps improve balance and coordination, and even helps build new neural pathways,” says Peterson, who emphasizes the cognitive importance to her workout programs. “But if you’re rather frail, or just very fearful of falling, you’re less likely to get up and move around.” These activities benefit all seniors, from 55 to 105. Peterson says a fun, social program of games and activities that include exercises specifically designed for seniors helps them address multiple issues, including those that tend to keep seniors sedentary – which only lessens their strength and balance. Last year, her program was independently evaluated from Hawaii’s Department of Heath, which found a statistically significant reduction in falls from seniors – 38 percent. It also won the MindAlert Award from the American Society on Aging. “Seniors of all ages need to continually work on improving their balance, coordination, strength, vision and cognitive skills. When they do, they’re less likely to fall – and more able to enjoy life.”

Peterson suggests these moves, which address many different areas of the body:

• The cross-crawl: After various light warm-ups, begin with the basic cross-crawl, which focuses on the fundamentals of balance. March in place, lifting the knees high. At the same time, reach across and touch the lifted knee with the opposite hand or elbow; alternate and keep going. This can be done sitting, standing or lying down. Once any of these exercises are mastered, Peterson says, participants should continue to challenge themselves. For even greater balance work, and to exercise the vestibular system, close your eyes and count backwards from 100 by threes. “It’s not fun if you’re not conquering a challenge,” she says. Her book includes several challenges for each exercise.

• Forward toe-touch dancer: To improve motor skills, physical coordination and cognition, there are many dance exercises that are appropriate for seniors. If needed, use a chair for assistance. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Now, simultaneously extend your left foot and your right arm forward. Keep your left toes pointed down, touching the floor; or for more difficulty, maintain the toes a few inches off the floor. Repeat this move with your left arm and right foot. Hold each pose for several seconds, and increase holding time.

• Sensory integration: the arrow chart: Look at an arrow chart and call out the direction indicated by each individual symbol. Then, thrust your arms in that direction; in other words, say and do what the arrow indicates. For an additional challenge, do the opposite of what the arrow indicates. • Side-step walk: Walk sidestepping – bring your right foot across the left and step down three to five inches away from the left foot, ankles crossed. The closer the feet, the harder it is to balance. Alternate crossing the foot in front and then behind the other foot as you move along; repeat several times, then do the same with opposite feet. As a bonus challenge, try a reading exercise from a vision card, designed for stimulating the brain/visual system, while sidestepping.

• The cat jump: This activity is practice in case of a fall; the muscle memory of the movement will be etched in your body. Bend your knees in a squat. Jump a little off the ground with both feet, and land softly, like a cat, without jarring your body. Repeat until you are confident in your ability to prevent a spill. “Research shows that most falls are preventable,” Peterson says. “These and other exercises, performed regularly, are a great way to achieve safety and a revitalized lifestyle.”

According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, drought conditions are expected to linger or intensify in Texas presenting a heightened threat of wildfire. In an effort to help Texas residents reduce their wildfire risk, IBHS offers wildfire preparedness resources found at- http://www.disastersafety.org/wildfire/ - which is available to home and business owners at no charge. The IBHS has outlined five ways home and business owners can reduce their wildfire risks. The best part, you don’t need a lot of money to do it. Find out what you can do to prepare below, while additional wildfire resources are available at DisterSafety.org. 

FIVE WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR WILDFIRE RISKS

1. Clean Roof

Not only does a clean roof look nice, but it can also reduce your wildfire risks. Embers can travel more than a mile from an actual fire, which can ignite combustible debris on your roof. Be sure to pay attention to areas where the roof meets a vertical surface, such as at a dormer. Also, be safe and never work on your roof if you are uncomfortable. 

2. Clean Gutters

Have you cleaned your gutters lately? If not, they could be increasing your risk of wildfire damage. Gutters with combustible debris can be easily ignited by wildfire embers.

3.  Clean Deck

Much like the roof and gutters, a deck full of combustible materials increases the risk of wildfire damage. Remember that patio furniture and lawn ornaments can also be combustible, so store them inside when not using the deck. In addition, removing combustible materials from under the deck is critical. If you do store combustible materials under your deck, enclosing the underside of the deck can be an option. 

4. Carefully Position Yard Structures

Not only should combustible yard structures be placed away from your home, the area around them should also be maintained using noncombustible materials. 

5. Relocate Propane and LP Tanks

Relocate propane tanks at least 30 feet from the home. If this is not possible, create a 10-foot noncombustible zone around the tank. IBHS wildfire resources are available at: DisasterSafety.org.

Specific resources include:

• IBHS Wildfire Home Assessment & Checklist

• IBHS Wildfire Brochures: Residential, Farms and Ranches

• Wildfire Retrofit Guide – Southeast Edition

IBHS is a leading national expert with respect to preparing for – and repairing and rebuilding structures after – a catastrophe to make them more disaster-resistant.

Visit DisasterSafety.org for more information about how to make your buildings more resistant to a variety of disasters, big and small. Follow IBHS on Twitter at @DisasterSafety and on Facebook. 

HOUSTON

The University of Houston has created an interdisciplinary minor in energy and sustainability designed for students who are pursuing a wide range of majors but want to understand the key issues in the world of energy. The new minor is part of UH’s strategic plan to enhance and expand its energy-related educational and research initiatives as it seeks to become “the energy university,” said Dow Chair Professor Ramanan Krishnamoorti, special assistant to the president/chancellor for UH Energy. “This new minor is an important part of our plan to capitalize on the abundance of energy-related talent and resources here at UH for the benefit of our students and the community,” Krishnamoorti said. The new minor officially begins in the 2013 fall semester, and the courses will be taught by faculty members from different colleges across campus. “This new minor can be taken by students majoring in business, engineering, technology, natural sciences and math, even public policy – anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in the energy industry,” Krishnamoorti said. “It will make UH students more relevant to the energy industry and more aware of the issues that will be important to them for the rest of their careers.” Topics will include existing, transitional and alternative energy resources; conservation and consumption; and energy and sustainability from the perspectives of economics and business, architecture and design, public policy and education. There also is an introductory course and a capstone course. “This minor gives students a quick start to thinking in broad terms about the different issues affecting the world of energy, such as sustainability and policy,” Krishnamoorti said. “Through these courses, we are giving them the tools they need to think about the energy industry in a holistic way. They will be better-educated graduates for the industry overall.” Some of the courses offered in the minor include sustainable development, the environmental biology of Texas, the economics of energy, introduction to air pollution, international energy politics and even an energy-related writing class in the English department. Joseph Pratt, NEH-Cullen professor of history and business, was instrumental in building the minor’s curriculum, which he said should be of interest to anyone living and working in the Houston region. “The minor in energy and sustainability consists of really good data for students to know. It covers all of the bases. Students who take these courses seriously will be in a position to build on them for the rest of their lives,” Pratt said. “If you live and work in the energy capital of the world, you need to be literate in energy and sustainability.” The minor’s advisory committee includes faculty members from the C.T. Bauer College of Business, the College of Technology, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Cullen College of Engineering, the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Office of Sustainability. For more information about the minor, visit: http://www.bauer.uh.edu/centers/uhgemi/esi/curriculum.php