In recognition of Fall Prevention Awareness Week which is September 18-22 the Mesa Fire and Medical Department will install 71 grab bars and partner with the Arizona Burn Foundation to install over 45 smoke alarms on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 9 a.m. in the Palmas del Sol 55+ community located at 6209 E McKellips Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215.
A total of 53 volunteers from the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, Arizona Burn Foundation, East Valley Disaster Services, Rebuilding Together-Valley of the Sun, Aqua Therapy Tubs, Home Depot, and JustServe.org will work in teams to install these safety devices for participants who have pre-registered. While the safety devices are being installed a team member will provide safety education to the resident.
"Community partners are integral to the success of our social service and life safety programs and help us keep our residents safe," Fire Chief Mary Cameli said. "Installation events such as this one benefit our senior residents by providing a better quality of life potentially saving the resident from injury and costly rehabilitation or long-term care, as well as reducing emergency calls for service."
Grab bars are especially important to the demographic in the Palmas Del Sol community. This community was selected due to call volume statistics. In 2022, there were 177 emergency calls for service within the Palmas del Sol community and 43 of these calls were fall related. With support from the Home Depot the grab bars are being supplied at no cost to participating residents. Additionally, smoke alarms are being provided through a donation from the Arizona Burn Foundation.
"The statistics about falls among senior residents throughout the state are concerning and show the importance that fall prevention plays in keeping Mesa's older adults safe. I want to thank everyone involved for their dedication to improving the safety of one of Mesa's most vulnerable populations," said Councilmember Alicia Goforth.