Page 13 - Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults

Chapter 2. Planning for a Fall Prevention Program

CHAPTER 2

Planning for a Fall

Prevention Program

Follow these important steps when planning your
fall prevention program.

Determine your community’s needs

Before deciding what fall prevention program to implement,
answer the following questions to determine your
community’s needs and identify appropriate resources.

• What information or data do you have about the burden
of falls in your community? (Sources may include
community hospitals, emergency medical services, and
local and/or state public health departments.)

• How much support for starting a fall prevention
program is there at all levels of your organization—
from the board and director, to the staff, volunteers,
and older adult clients?

• What are your organization’s current and future goals
and resources for providing services to older adults
in your community?
• What related programs or services are currently being
offered by your or other organizations in your area?

• What existing community resources could provide
services to address or support older adult fall
prevention programs?

• What organizations or community champions would
join in planning to implement this program?

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