Falls Free© E-News

May 2011

		Get Ready for Falls Prevention Awareness Day Sept. 23 is the 4th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD). With support from Humana, Inc., NCOA and the Falls Free© Coalition are building an online tool to capture lessons learned and resources from the 37 states that participated in 2010. Learn what worked and what didn’t in the 2010 survey results and get a new list of ideas to help you plan for 2011! Find ideas now »

May is Healthy Vision Month

Vision is a major risk factor for falls. The National Eye Institute, a Falls Free© partner, is promoting the importance of comprehensive dilated eye exams in maintaining healthy vision. Get the Healthy Eyes Toolkit to promote eye health in your community. Download the toolkit »

Core Injury Grants Awarded

The CDC's Division of Injury Response announced grants under the Core Violence and Injury Prevention Program. The cooperative agreement begins Aug. 1 for five years. The following 20 states will be funded for core injury grants: AZ, CO, FL, HI, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NE, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, UT, and WA. In addition, CO, NY, and OR were selected to focus specifically on falls prevention by integrating evidence-based practices with community and clinical practice. Programs will address sustainability, including reimbursement strategies to reduce falls and fall-related injuries. Learn more »

Get the Facts and Be an Advocate

Every year, Congress makes important decisions that affect funding for falls prevention activities. If you’re passionate about these programs, share your thoughts with your elected officials! We’ve got what you need to become an effective advocate. Read the latest statistics on falls among older adults, explore NCOA’s issue brief detailing what’s on the policy and funding agenda, and get tips on successful nonprofit advocacy.
Get started »

Falls Champion Kohl to Retire

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), long-time chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, has announced his retirement. Sen. Kohl sponsored the 2009 and 2010 Senate Proclamations for Falls Prevention Awareness Day. In April, NCOA recognized him with the 2011 Ollie Randall Award for singular and outstanding contributions toward advancing the cause of aging. Read more »

Did You Miss Our Sessions at Aging in America?

Don’t worry, we’ve posted them online. Download an overview of falls prevention evidence-based programs and a presentation on Making Strides: New Initiatives to Reduce Falls among Older Adults. Download presentations »

Falls Awareness Week across the Pond

Age UK is promoting the 6th annual Falls Awareness Week, June 20-24. Last year, over 1,200 events were held around the United Kingdom. Explore what ideas worked overseas and find resources to bring them to the United States. Check out international activities »

North Carolina Prioritizes Falls Prevention

The North Carolina Falls Prevention Coalition and its strategic health promotion partners are celebrating a key success. Falls prevention has been listed as a priority objective for the first time in three major statewide plans: Healthy North Carolina 2020: A Better State of Health, the NC Institute of Medicine Prevention Action Plan, and the 2011-2015 NC Aging Services Plan. All three plans set statewide policy objectives and actions to move forward in the identified priority areas. See more »

Active Aging Week Set for September

Sept. 25-Oct. 1 is Active Aging Week, sponsored by the International Council on Active Aging. Organized locally, the week is celebrated nationally in the United States and Canada. The message is universal: people can live as fully as possible throughout the lifespan. This year's theme is Expand your experience! Find out what's planned »