Fall Prevention Awareness Week - September 18 – 24, 2011

Possible Fall Prevention Activities for Service Providers
(Senior Centers, Senior Housing, Congregant Meal Sites, etc.)

• Create a Fall Prevention display/bulletin board showing safety items


• Distribute a different flyer each day of the week - each having a fall prevention message with such topics as:
  • Physical Activity
  • Home Safety
  • Assistive Devices
  • Outdoor Falls
  • Medication Awareness
  • Vision
  • Talking with Your Doctor About Fall Risks
  • Preventing Falls with Pets


• Host a Fall Prevention Discussion Group


• Print up placemats for dining tables with Fall Prevention messages (Version 1, Version 2, Version 3, Version 4)


• Offer a Tai Chi demonstration


• Ask your exercise leaders to incorporate fall prevention information into their sessions


• Offer vision exams


• Offer Balance and Gait Testing
  • Balance and Mobility PDF
  • Balance and Mobility Page


• Offer blood pressure checks

• Invite a podiatrist to offer foot exams


• Have a Physical Therapist come and talk about proper use of assistive devices


• Organize a walk (possibly with a neighborhood walking group) or hold a community walkability audit to promote safe pedestrian routes in your area
  • Make/carry signs
  • Write a slogan or chant to say while walking
  • Write down areas where sidewalks are cracked or other hazards exist
  • Create a final report to share with participants, the community, and use to help address identified hazards (Report 1, Report 2)


• Arrange a "Sloppy Slipper Swap" - in return for old, unsafe footwear, give out night lights or non-skid strips for bathtubs and showers


• Organize fall prevention workshops


• Play Fall Prevention Bingo


• Contact any media connections you have and let them know about Fall Prevention Awareness Week and what you're doing
  • Press release example
  • Additional tips for contacting media


• Obtain a Proclamation for Fall Prevention Awareness Week from your City Council and/or County Board of Supervisors

Additional FPAW Information from the Stopfalls Network

• CDC Public Health Grand Rounds webcast will focus on Senior Falls Prevention on September 25th To obtain the webcast visit: http://www.publichealthgrandrounds.unc.edu/injuries/index.htm

Are you wondering how you’ll know if your FPAW event has been successful?

• Click Here For Self Assessment
• Evaluation Planning Tips
• Collect Lessons Learned for Next Year

INFORMATION ON NATIONAL FALL PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD

• Fall Prevention Awareness Day Information from the National Council on Aging