The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force estimates that 30-40 percent of older adults living in the community (i.e., not in a long-term care setting), fall at least once per year.
An AARP survey found that most older adults would prefer to continue living independently in their own communities for as long as possible. Falls are a major threat to that independence. While falls prevention begins at home, there are things that communities can do to help ensure the safety and well-being of their older residents:
- Form a fall and injury prevention task force or coalition;
- Redesign public buildings and spaces with falls prevention in mind;
- Sponsor community-based falls prevention interventions (like A Matter of Balance); and
- Train first-responders to conduct falls risk assessments.
Ohio Older Adults Falls Prevention Coalition
The Ohio Older Adults Falls Prevention Coalition is part of the Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership that helps communities identify and address the need for local falls prevention initiatives. They promote partnerships, education and policy at the state and local levels.
Falls Free® Initiative
The Falls Free® Initiative is a national effort led by NCOA to address the growing public health issue of falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in older adults.