July 2012
Get ready for Sept. 22: Falls Prevention Awareness Day!
 Forty-six states will stand together with 70+ national organizations, professional associations, and federal agencies that comprise the Falls Free© Initiative to participate in the 5th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD) on Sept. 22, the first day of fall. This year’s theme, Standing Together to Prevent Falls, seeks to unite professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to play a part in raising awareness and preventing falls in older adults. See if your state is participating and use our tools to plan an event in your community!
Start planning your FPAD activities | Find your State Coalition
See sample FPAD proclamation
Senate appropriators invest in senior prevention
Elder Falls Prevention received a $10 million increase under a FY13 appropriations bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee last month. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) also would get $10 million under the proposal. While the news is good, final appropriations are unlikely until early next year. If your Senators are on the Appropriations Committee, please thank them!
Get a summary | Download our funding table
State coalitions launch new resource to evaluate impact on falls
 NCOA Falls Free© and its State Coalitions on Fall Prevention Evaluation Committee launched the landmark Evaluation Guidelines for State Coalitions with a webinar on June 4. The tool is designed to provide a recommended set of evaluation strategies to more effectively measure impact and facilitate cross-state comparisons. It includes a Falls Free© logic model and a recommended standard set of survey questions. Thanks to our State Coalitions Evaluation Committee that worked hard for over a year to bring this exciting tool to our members!
Watch the webinar | View the Evaluation Guidelines
Physical therapists present training program
A team of physical therapists serving on the CDC Fall Prevention Experts Panel presented 18 hours of programming at the Annual American Physical Therapy Association Conference in June. In addition to clinical presentations, attending therapists learned of the community-based programs that can augment or supplement treatment plans, including Stepping On, Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, Otago, and A Matter of Balance. Therapists were also invited to the join the more than 40 states coalescing around the issue of falls and fall-related injuries and deaths.
See what your state is doing
Help protect older adults from heat stress
 Chronic conditions can significantly raise the risk of falling, and the numbers are growing. According to AHRQ, 91% of older adults have at least one chronic condition while 73% have two or more. In the hot summer months, older adults with chronic conditions are also less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature, and their medications can worsen the impact of heat.
Read FAQs about extreme heat | View warning signs and symptoms
Congratulations Wisconsin Fall Prevention Initiative!
The Wisconsin Fall Prevention Initiative, a State Coalition on Falls Prevention, was one of eight programs chosen by the Prevention Institute to spotlight in a report of model health initiatives. The report demonstrates how states are moving beyond silos to partner with other organizations to advance population health.
Download the report
Sign Up...
- Webinar: Standing Together to Prevent Falls
August 28 @ 3 p.m. ET
Falls are the leading cause of injury related deaths of older adults. Discover how you can join the effort to affect this growing public health issue and sponsor an educational event in your community.
Read more
- Webinar: Evidence-based Health Promotion 101
July 24 @ 3 p.m. ET
Find out what evidence-based programs are available in your community, why they’re important, how to find the right one for your organization, and how to measure success.
Register
- A Matter of Balance: Master Trainings
October 2-3, 2012 in Portland, ME
February 12-13, 2013 in Phoenix, AZ
Register
Get Resources...
- Diabetes and Healthy Eyes Toolkit: Download this toolkit to inform people with diabetes about diabetic eye disease and maintaining healthy vision.
- Vision and Aging: Download this toolkit from NEI to educate older adults about eye health.
- Calcium Supplements and Heart Attacks: View this worksheet from American Bone Health, a Falls Free© member, that helps determine your daily intake of calcium.
- Healthy Bones: A Decision Aid for Women After Menopause: View this patient aid that teaches women what is important when deciding how to keep their bones healthy.
- A Look at How the Environment Impacts Healthy Aging: Read about the effects of the environment on aging.
Find Research...
- Treatment To Prevent Fractures in Men and Women With Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis: Read this report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Meet Us...
Learn more about the Falls Free© Initiative.
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