Falls Prevention
Awareness Week
Promotional Packet
September
TEXAS ASSOCIATION
OF
2009
21-25
AREA AGENCIES
ON
AGING
Fall Prevention Awareness Week
September 21-25 2009
The Texas Falls Prevention Coalition marketing/communication committee has prepared
this packet with several resources for Area Agencies on Aging, community partners and
coalition members to conduct activities to promote Fall Prevention Awareness Week.
Possible activities, media releases, flyers, pamphlets and websites links are included in this
packet to help in planning promotional events.
Each day of the week will focus on risk factors that may contribute to falls.
Monday - Physical Activity
Promote the importance of increasing daily physical activity to improve balance, strength,
flexibility, and endurance.
Tuesday- Home Safety
Promote the importance of making the home a falls free environment.
Wednesday- Medication Management
Promote the importance managing medication and knowing the interactions with each other
when taking multiple medications.
Thursday- Family Awareness
Educate and promote awareness of falls prevention to family members of individuals who
may or may not have had a falls.
Friday- A Matter of Balance or Other Fall Prevention Programs
Promote the award winning evidence-based program, AMOB, or other fall prevention
programs. AMOB reduces the fear of falling through group discussion, problem-solving
strategies and increasing the physical activity levels of those who have concerns about falls.
Planning Suggestions:
Physical Activity
Local Gyms
Solicit local gyms to have free classes for seniors on Monday or the whole week. Ask to display
TFPC AMOB brochures and other fall-related informational brochures at the facility.
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Gold’s
24 Hour Fitness
World’s Gym
Balley’s
Curves
YMCA/YWCA
AMOB Classes
Conduct demonstration AMOB classes including sample of the exercises.
DVD
Create a DVD with different sessions of the AMOB class including sample of the exercises to
handout.
Physical Activities Examples
Invite physical activity instructors to senior centers, independent living centers, retirement
communities, etc. to demonstrate a variety of exercises and provide education on the
importance of exercising daily.
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Tai Chi
Arthritis Exercise Program
Silver Sneakers
Planning Suggestions:
Home Safety
Senior Centers
September is National Senior Center Month. Contact the senior centers in your area and ask if
you can help organize a Senior Home Safety Fair for the senior center participants. You can
distribute fall prevention resources like the Home Safety Checklist available on
www.healthyagingprograms.com or www.cdc.gov/injury. Plan a demonstration of common
hazards (How many can you spot?), and invite local professionals with home safety knowledge
to speak or provide additional materials and resources.
Homebound Older Adults
Partner with a local “meals on wheels” organization and have the Home Safety Checklist and
other fall prevention material delivered to each client along with their meal.
Local Chain and Mom/Pop Stores
Solicit local stores to set-up “end caps” or a display of products that can be used in the home for
prevention of falls and/or safety. Have AMOB coaches man an informational table by the “end
cap” or display several days during the week but especially Tuesday. Ask Home Depot or Lowes
to hold the “Do it Yourself” classes geared towards making the home safe (installing grab bars,
etc.)
A list of some products that can be promoted:
 Motion activated lights
 Daily timers for lights
 Indoor/outdoor lighting
 Grab Bars
 Non-skid bath mats, strips
 Remote controls
 Extension cord ties
 Reach sticks
 Night Lights
Stores (just a few):
Lowes
The Home Depot
True Value
Neighborhood Store
Walmart
Target
K-Mart
Sears
Bed Bath and Beyond
Linens and Things
Pharmacies
Local Builders/Handymen
Contact local builders or handymen that would be able to help in installing products.
Planning Suggestions:
Medication Management
Local Pharmacies
Solicit pharmacies to set-up a table to display brochures and information related to managing
medication in terms of fall prevention.
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Attach AMOB information to prescription bags
Handout medication booklets for individuals to keep track of medications and
encourage older adults to take it to their primary care provider to check medication
interaction
Ask pharmacies to offer and promote a “brown bag” review of medications for older
adults at their store
Ask pharmacists to visit senior centers, parks and recreation centers, malls, etc. to
conduct a medications check clinic.
Planning Suggestions:
Family Awareness
Intergenerational Activities
Promote and conduct activities that the youngest to the oldest person can attend.
Health Fair/ Family Fun Fest
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Plan a wellness festival for older adults and their families. Start with a free yoga or Tai
Chi demonstration, and partner with a local health care provider to offer foot,
cholesterol, osteoporosis, blood pressure, vision, or hearing screenings. Have healthy
snack on hank and a nutritionist who can offer tips. Tie good health to fall prevention.
Plan an intergenerational play date to be held at a convenient location for older adults
and their families. Contact a local parents’ group or advertise at the library, playground,
etc. Grandparent’s Day is September 13th and may give the opportunity for this type
event http://www.grandparents-day.com/ Use the event to educate children and
grandparents about fall prevention and awareness.
Caregivers

Ask local churches and human service organizations to get information out to
caregivers to educate them about the importance of fall prevention for the ones for
whom they care. Area agencies on aging have Caregiver Support Programs and may
be a good partner in getting materials out to these individuals.
Seminars
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Conduct seminars at churches
Parks and Recreation centers
Hands on Demonstrations
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Home safety workshops at the park, local stores, retirement homes, senior centers
geared toward families. Engage the children of appropriate ages to conduct a Home
Safety check for their grandparents or older neighbor.
Planning Suggestions:
Fall Prevention Programs
A Matter of Balance or other fall prevention program
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Promote locally in newspapers, on TV, radio PSA
Display TFPC statewide brochure in places frequented by older adults
Handout the AMOB flyer at health fairs, churches, hospitals, senior centers, parks and
recreation centers, etc.
Contact local physicians, OT, PT, nurses, hospitals to promote the program and create a
partnership
Hold sample classes
Conduct information sessions with older persons as well as the directors of agencies
Planning Suggestions:
Media/Communications
Local Media
Promote fall prevention activities through
 Paid Advertising or public service announcements (PSA)
 Your Agency Newsletter or flyer insert
 Partner Newsletters, article or flyer insert
 Community Calendars i.e. newspaper, television, websites, etc.
 Local television station, public television stations community calendars
 Websites, links from your partners websites
 E-mail or call your local television stations for a spot on their morning or noon broadcast
regarding “Falls Prevention Week”.
 Publicizing your scheduled classes for the month or the remainder of the year.
 Publicize scheduled volunteer coaches training and/or meetings for volunteer coaches
Sample spot for TV community information/calendar
In celebration of “Falls Prevention Week” September 21 – 25, 2009 the (organization name) will
be providing information on the A Matter of Balance (MOB) program (or other fall prevention
program) and other scheduled activities for the week. MOB is a fall prevention program geared
to persons age 60 and over who have fallen or have a fear of falling (or information about other
fall prevention program). If you or your loved one would like additional information contact
name, Program Developer at number.
Sample webpage (courtesy of the Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend)
Area Agency on
Aging of the
Coastal Bend
Have you or someone you know fallen?
In celebration of “Falls Prevention WeeK ” September
21-25, 2009 and Keeping Texans Standing Tall, the Area Agency on Aging
(AAA) of the Coastal Bend will be conducting A Matter of Balance (MOB)
sessions throughout the Coastal Bend Region.
AAA is committed in providing public awareness, education and resources to
promote and implement the evidence based MOB program. The MOB
program helps reduce risk factors of falls and injuries in older adults.
It is reported that falls are a major public health issue amoung adults age 65
and older. One-third of all older Texans age 65 and over will fall each year
and of those who fall 70% require emergency medical care and 40% require
nursing home care.
Do you know someone
who:


are concerned about
falls
have sustained a fall
in the past
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restrict activities
because of concerns
about falling
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are interested in
improving flexibility,
balance and strength

are age 60 or older,
ambulatory and able
to problem-solve
Degisned by Boston University, “A Matter of Balance” an award winning
program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity
If so, we would welcome the
levels of older adults who have concerns about falling.
opportunity to speak with you
regarding our next scheduled
A Matter of Balance session.
The MOB program utilizes volunteer coaches to teach the eight two-hour
sessions that draws on principles of adult learning to change participants
behavior and to sustain changes long after the sessions have been completed. Contact:
Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, as well as
learn to set ralistic goals for increasing activity. Participants also learn how to
change their environment to reduce fall risk factors in and out of the home.
The program promotes exercise as a way to increase strength, balance, and
flexibility.
Area Agency on Aging
of the Coastal Bend
361 883-3935 ext. 260
1-800-817-5743
We are waiting for your call
Falls Prevention Week September 21-25, 2009
Sample Press Release
One out of three senior citizens will fall this year. Falls are the major contributing factor
to 40% of all nursing home admissions. Falls cost our nation $19 billion dollars annually and
this doesn’t reflect the emotional, psychological and catastrophic events that are imposed on
family and caregivers. About 50% of those senior citizens who fall will fall again. In Texas, fall
related hospital charges account for over $508 million dollars. Statewide the most common
cause of hospitalization was a specified fall (trip, slip, or stumble).
Because of these startling statistics, Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 703 into law,
creating Fall Prevention Awareness Week to be held September 21 - 25. The bill recommends
programs and policies be developed to promote reduction of falls and create an increase in fall
prevention awareness.
The Texas Falls Prevention Coalition (TFPC) has been coordinating and planning
statewide events to promote fall prevention awareness to inform all Texans about this
important issue. TFPC, founded in 2007, is comprised of the Area Agencies on Aging,
community partners, hospitals, and other statewide stakeholders utilizing the fall prevention
model, A Matter of Balance.
This program consists of eight interactive sessions which are offered at no cost to older
adults. The classes can take place in various settings such as, senior centers, recreation centers,
adult living facilities, and clinics. The program is aimed at helping older adults to conquer the
fear of falling, increase their physical activity, and reduce fall hazards in their home.
Fall Prevention Awareness carries out the message of Keeping Texans Standing Tall. The
goal is to increase awareness of the importance of preventing falls among older adults by
engaging in health promotion and disease prevention activities. Each day of Fall Prevention
Week will focus on proven methods to reduce falls. These methods include: Physical Activity,
Home Safety, Medication Management and review, and family awareness. Representative
Patrick Rose will hold a kick-off press conference from the Capital September 21, 2009 at 10:00
am.
This is a great opportunity to age well and continue to be independent. For more
information about the classes or events, please contact: the (name of organization)
_____________
Article - Medication Screening Day (September 23)
Fall Prevention Awareness Week (September 20-26) is affording older adults, and their families
and caregivers, many opportunities to learn about the incidences and risks of falls. The
observance occurs each year starting on the first day of fall, thanks to a bill signed into law by
Governor Rick Perry.
The Texas Falls Prevention Coalition is actively working to educate about the risk of falls and to
reduce incidences. The Coalition was formed in 2007 and is comprised of Texas Area Agencies
on Aging, community partners and statewide stakeholders whose primary function is to
coordinate the statewide evidence-based fall prevention program, A Matter of Balance.
Within each Matter of Balance class, participants have the opportunity to explore the many
factors that may contribute to their risk of falling. In addition to personal conditions that may
contribute, such as muscle weakness, poor balance, flexibility, and endurance, participants also
consider external factors such as medications, shoes, walkers, and household hazards. An
individual can be placed at a higher risk for falls by taking four or more prescription
medications, a condition known as “polypharmacy”.
The Center for Disease Control suggests, “Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the
medicines you take—including ones that don’t need prescriptions such as cold medicines. As
you get older, the way some medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or
combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed which can lead to a fall.”
Dr. Michael Lichtenstein, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Geriatrics,
Gerontology and Palliative Medicine at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, said “The
more complex the medication regimen, the greater the risk for adverse drug interactions and
side effects. So the goal should be the simplest medication regimen (fewest medications) with
the lowest effective dose for each.”
Numerous sources report balance problems for individuals using a variety of psychotropic
medications. An example would be taking a benzodiazepine for anxiety along with an antidepressant. Dr. Lichtenstein summarizes, “In general, but not always, the greatest risk is when
a new medication is introduced into a regimen or doses are increased too rapidly. Persons
should strive to make only one change at a time to be able to judge the impact of the
adjustment on the person. Drug withdrawal may be an important issue with some medications.
Changing the timing of a dosage is not as risky, if the person is already taking the medications
without problems.”
In their Guideline for the Prevention of Falls in Older Persons, the American Geriatrics Society
wrote, “Falls generally result from an interaction of multiple and diverse risk factors and
situations, many of which can be corrected. This interaction is modified by age, disease, and
the presence of hazards in the environment. Frequently, older people are not aware of their
risks of falling, and do not recognize risk factors or report these issues to their physicians.
Consequently, opportunities for prevention of falling are often overlooked, with risks becoming
evident only after injury and disability have occurred.” A good start to identify your risk of
falling and ways to reduce that risk is to speak with your health care professional.
Possible Activity (courtesy of
Mary Ann Contreras )
Fall Prevention Week 2009
Planning for Intervention
Goal: A multidisciplinary approach to fall prevention in the home.
Preparation: Gather key professionals together with an interest in senior safety/fall
prevention. Consideration to core medical professionals such as RN’s, Pharmacists,
Gerontology, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, Otologists, and Public Health professionals
should be given. Other interested providers include Area Agency on Aging, home safety
consultants, home improvement experts, and engineers. Be familiar with the CDC and
other expert knowledge regarding home safety recommendations. Contact your
organization’s PR/media relation person to involve the local press/media as a community
outreach and information activity. Have a supply of various pamphlets with information
on home safety, fall prevention, local resources for exercise and classes. Develop an
evaluation tool to be left and completed post visit. Bring a sign in sheet for participants
and the senior citizens. Bring a camera and all necessary authorization forms. Develop
and bring a personal home evaluation/balance check list and stamped/self addressed
envelopes for return to leave with the seniors. Develop and bring medication list cards to
leave with the seniors. Bring a thank you card with contact information for follow up
questions to leave with the seniors. Contact several (with a goal of 3-4 homes) seniors
and family members for permission for home/medication/fall prevention intervention
with media involvement.
Day of event: Have a preplanned location for all team members to meet. Provide location
addresses. Consider several key messages/take away ideas in each area of specialty for
press coverage questions and community information. Have a printed list of tips/contact
information for fall prevention to give to the media—so they can expand their coverage.
Plan to be at the first home mid morning and be completed with all homes by early
afternoon.
Post event: After all evaluations have been returned, review the encounters with all the
team members, considering and documenting suggestions by each member. Contact the
senior participants at specific time intervals post event for further follow up documenting
the results/evaluations. Begin planning for next year.
Contact Information
Sample Resolution
RESOLUTION
FALL PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK
SEPTEMBER 21 – 25, 2009
WHEREAS, the (insert area, city, county, region) is home to more than (insert older
population number covered) citizens age 60 and over; and
WHEREAS, older Texans are valuable members of our society who enhance our
communities and personal lives; and
WHEREAS, one out of three older Texans will fall this year; and
WHEREAS, falls among older adults account for forty percent of all nursing home
admissions; and
WHEREAS, falls cost our state $1.8 billion dollars annually; and
WHEREAS, the emotional, psychological and catastrophic costs that effect families
and caregivers is immeasurable.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED September 21-25, 2009 to be Fall
Prevention Awareness Week. We urge everyone to take time this first week of fall 2009
to learn about factors that contribute to falls and strategies that can lessen the chance that
they will experience a fall. Our efforts can improve the lives of our older citizens and
help pave the way for safer future generations.
Resolution adopted by the (insert name of body making resolution) on this
day of
September, 2009.
__________________
(insert names of officials adopting resolution)
Additional Resources
Websites
Texas Falls Prevention Coalition AMOB programmatic site
http://www.srph.tamhsc.edu/research/texashealthylifestyles/tfpc/texas-fallsprevention-coalition.html
AoA- Administration on Aging
http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Index.aspx
CDC- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/preventadultfalls.htm
NCOA- National Council on Aging
http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=113
Fall Prevention Awareness Day Website
This website was created to help states and communities to promote falls
awareness day and/or week.
http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=149
National Resource Center for Safe Aging
http://www.safeaging.org/
Home Safety Council
http://www.safeaging.org/
Maine Partnership for Health Aging
http://www.mmc.org/mh_body.cfm?id=432
National Institute on Aging- Age Pages
http://www.niapublications.org/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=45&cat=All+Age+Pa
ges
Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging
http://www.t4aging.org
Texas Association of Home Builders
http://www.texasbuilders.org/#bf_miniCal_80
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
http://www.dads.state.tx.us/
Medication Management Pocket Minder
www.channing-bete.com, 1-800-628-7733, item # PS47551
1. Panhandle AAA– Amarillo
1-800-642-6008
15. Brazos Valley AAA– Bryan
1-800-994-4000
2. South Plains AAA– Lubbock
1-888-418-6564
16. Deep East Texas AAA– Jasper
1-800-435-3377
3. North Texas AAA– Wichita Falls
1-800-460-2226
17. South East Texas AAA–Beaumont
1-800-395-5465
4. North Central Texas AAA– Arlington
1-800-272-3921
18. Harris County AAA– Houston
1-800-213-8471
5. Tarrant County AAA–Fort Worth
1-817-258-8100
19. Houston-Galveston AAA– Houston
1-800-437-7396
6. Dallas County AAA– Dallas
1-214-379-4636
20. Golden Crescent AAA– Victoria
1-800-574-9745
7. Ark Tex AAA– Texarkana
1-800-372-4464
21. Alamo AAA– San Antonio
1-866-231-4922
8. East Texas AAA– Kilgore
1-800-442-8845
22. Bexar County AAA– San Antonio
1-800-960-5201
9. West Central Texas AAA– Abilene
1-800-928-2262
23. South Texas AAA– Laredo
1-800-292-5426
10. Rio Grande AAA– El Paso
1-800-333-7082
24. Coastal Bend AAA–Corpus Christi
1-800-817-5743
11. Permian Basin AAA– Midland
1-800-491-4636
25. Lower Rio Grande Valley AAA– McAllen
1-800-365-6131
12. Concho Valley AAA– San Angelo
1-877-944-9666
26. Texoma AAA– Sherman
1-800-677-8264
13. Heart of Texas AAA– Waco
1-866-722-9600
27. Central Texas AAA– Belton
1-800-447-7169
14. Capital Area AAA– Austin
1-888-622-9111
28. Middle Rio Grande AAA–
Carrizo Springs
1-800-224-4262