Key facts (WHO, 2021):
- Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide.
- Each year an estimated 684 000 individuals die from falls globally of which over 80% are in low- and middle-income countries.
- Adults older than 60 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls.
- 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention occur each year.
- Prevention strategies should emphasize education, training, creating safer environments, prioritizing fall-related research and establishing effective policies to reduce risk.
- A range of interventions exist to prevent falls across the life-course
National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a respected national leader and trusted partner to help people aged 60+ meet the challenges of aging.
The National Council on Aging houses the National Falls Prevention Resource Center which increases public awareness about the risk of falls and supports the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based falls prevention programs and strategies across the nation. The online Resource Center has fall prevention content and messaging tailored to specific audiences, including professionals, caregivers, and older adults.
The CDC also provides organizations with the building blocks of effective fall prevention programs by providing examples, resources, and tips.
Resources For Health Care Providers:
- NCOA Falls Prevention Resource Center for Professionals
- CDC STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) Toolkit for Healthcare Providers
- CDC STEADI Fact Sheet Talking With Patients
- CDC STEADI Coordinated Care Plan to Prevent Older Adult Falls
- CDC STEADI-Rx – Help pharmacists to engage patients and providers to improve fall-related health issues; offers tools for pharmacists on how to screen, assess, and coordinate care to reduce older adult fall risk.
- CDC Clinician Fact Sheet – Older Adult Falls
Resources For Family and Community Members, Patients, Caregivers:
- NCOA Falls Prevention for Caregivers
- Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers
- NCOA 4 Tips to Help You Talk to Older Adults About Prevention Falls
- NCOA Let’s Talk About Falls
- CDC Older Adults Falls Prevention – Falls facts, data, and resources
- CDC Stay Independent Brochure – Fall Risk Self-Assessment
- CDC Medication Fact Sheet – Are your medicines increasing your risk for falls?
- CDC STEADI Medications Linked to Falls – a Fact sheet on medications linked to falls; medication management can reduce interactions and side effects that may lead to falls
- CDC STEADI Check for Safety Brochure – A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults
- CDC What You Can Do to Prevent Falls Brochure – Customizable
- CDC My Mobility Plan – A mobility planning tool to help you stay independent, safe at home, mobile in your community.
- Falls Free Infographic – 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall
- Mayo Clinic Tips to Prevent Falls– Simple tips to prevent falls
Presentations: General Falls Prevention
- Walls Have Become My Best Friend Community presentation: The target audience is a group of cancer survivors who are seeking general information. The presentation has been created for support group leaders or those who want some information to present at a senior center or health day/community event. It is not meant to be an exhaustive review of issues or potential concerns, but is meant to provide education for general consideration. There are notes which may help the presenter.
- Dizziness, Vertigo and Falls in Persons with Diabetes (The Audiology Project – Webinar)
- Facts About Falling Community Presentation (Triangle Falls Coalition)
- “Let’s Talk about Fall Prevention” – Community/Health Care Presentation (Metrolina Falls Coalition)
- Older Adult Falls Prevention Overview (PowerPoint)
- Fall Risk Factors: Why do Older Adults Fall? (PowerPoint)
- Preventing Falls: What Works (PowerPoint)
- Falls Prevention Awareness in Public Transportation