Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Elmbrook Campus - Brookfield, 2025 Community Benefits
Ascension Elmbrook Hosts Falls Prevention Fair to Support Healthy Aging in Wisconsin
Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, and Wisconsin continues to rank first in the nation for fall-related deaths among seniors. In 2024 alone, emergency medical services across the state responded to more than 140,000 fall-related calls—10,000 more than the year prior, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. With private homes accounting for the majority of falls, experts stress that prevention begins with awareness and education.
To help address this growing concern, Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – Elmbrook Campus hosted its annual Falls Prevention Fair in September 2025, at the Brookfield Public Library. The free event, timed during National Falls Awareness Month, drew more than 60 participants and brought together Ascension Wisconsin clinicians, occupational and physical therapists, and six community partners to share resources and practical tools for fall prevention.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in functional screenings and learn strategies to improve strength, balance, and confidence—skills that can make all the difference in maintaining independence. Local organizations, including the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), Waukesha County Falls Prevention Coalition, Bell Ambulance, Greenlight Mobility, Ascension Home Health Physical Therapy and the Brookfield Fire Department, joined the effort to provide expert guidance and support.
“Falls are not an inevitable part of aging,” said Nancy Shea, Ascension Elmbrook pharmacist and community outreach coordinator. “With the right knowledge, tools, and support, we can empower older adults to stay safe in their homes and communities and out of the hospital. Events like this bring our mission of care beyond hospital walls and into the community where the people we serve live.”
Participants learned about risk factors such as vision or hearing changes, medication side effects and home safety hazards. They also received guidance on how small adjustments like using mobility aids, improving lighting, or strengthening core muscles can significantly reduce the likelihood of falls.
This community-based approach underscores Ascension Elmbrook’s expertise in senior care and reflects Ascension Wisconsin’s broader commitment to addressing the health challenges of older adults. By equipping seniors and their families with knowledge and resources, the event not only helps reduce injuries but also promotes healthy, independent aging across the region.
As Wisconsin continues to see rising numbers of fall-related incidents, Ascension Wisconsin and its partners are committed to sustaining efforts that protect seniors, support caregivers, and strengthen community health.
To help address this growing concern, Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – Elmbrook Campus hosted its annual Falls Prevention Fair in September 2025, at the Brookfield Public Library. The free event, timed during National Falls Awareness Month, drew more than 60 participants and brought together Ascension Wisconsin clinicians, occupational and physical therapists, and six community partners to share resources and practical tools for fall prevention.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in functional screenings and learn strategies to improve strength, balance, and confidence—skills that can make all the difference in maintaining independence. Local organizations, including the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), Waukesha County Falls Prevention Coalition, Bell Ambulance, Greenlight Mobility, Ascension Home Health Physical Therapy and the Brookfield Fire Department, joined the effort to provide expert guidance and support.
“Falls are not an inevitable part of aging,” said Nancy Shea, Ascension Elmbrook pharmacist and community outreach coordinator. “With the right knowledge, tools, and support, we can empower older adults to stay safe in their homes and communities and out of the hospital. Events like this bring our mission of care beyond hospital walls and into the community where the people we serve live.”
Participants learned about risk factors such as vision or hearing changes, medication side effects and home safety hazards. They also received guidance on how small adjustments like using mobility aids, improving lighting, or strengthening core muscles can significantly reduce the likelihood of falls.
This community-based approach underscores Ascension Elmbrook’s expertise in senior care and reflects Ascension Wisconsin’s broader commitment to addressing the health challenges of older adults. By equipping seniors and their families with knowledge and resources, the event not only helps reduce injuries but also promotes healthy, independent aging across the region.
As Wisconsin continues to see rising numbers of fall-related incidents, Ascension Wisconsin and its partners are committed to sustaining efforts that protect seniors, support caregivers, and strengthen community health.
