Medical City Arlington, Arlington Fire Department Partner to Offer Free Fall Classes for Older Adults

By Medical City Arlington Communications

Posted on July 07, 2023, July 07, 2023

Almost 59% of Medical City Arlington’s trauma patients in 2022 had suffered fall-related injuries, with 32% of those patients over age 65. In addition, the Arlington Fire Department (AFD) sees an ongoing problem with calls related to preventable falls—especially among older adults. That’s why the hospital and fire department are partnering to offer free classes to help prevent falls among adults ages 65 and older.

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a strength, balance, fitness and education program designed to help senior adults stay active and reduce falls. Registered nurses from Medical City Arlington and the AFD are now teaching SAIL classes, free of charge, for the Arlington-area community. Classes are offered Tuesdays, 1-2:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m., at the Medical City Arlington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, 3201 Omega Drive, Arlington, 76105.

“As the only Level II Trauma Center in Arlington, Medical City Arlington cared for almost 107,000 ER patients in 2022, many of them older adult patients needing care for injuries related to falls,” says Sharn Barbarin, CEO of Medical City Arlington. “The SAIL program collaboration between our hospital’s trauma prevention team and the Arlington Fire Department reinforces Medical City Arlington’s commitment to the care and improvement of human life by offering practical strategies to help seniors in our community.”

“This is a unique opportunity for the fire department, as a first responder organization, to collaborate with the prestigious Medical City Healthcare system to reduce the hardship of preventable falls,” AFD Deputy Chief Michael Flaherty said. “Linking pre-hospital, early recognition of potential fall conditions and referring Arlington citizens to experts in fall prevention education will help reduce the avoidable and often understated burden a fall can have -- both medically and financially.”

Participants can register for SAIL classes by calling 817-239-5041 or online through the Medical City Arlington Classes & Events site. Click here for information on the SAIL Fitness classes.