Page 18 - Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults
P. 18
Appendix E — Template for Developing a Sustainability Plan
A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY-BASED FALL PREVENTION PROGRAMS
Develop your “pitch” for partnership. to make potential partners recognize they
After strategically selecting potential should be involved.
partners, develop your “pitch,” or selling • Describe how your programs and services
points, for partnership. These will vary based can make a difference.
on the resources, needs, and priorities of
each organization. Showcase the benefits • Share information about the burden of
for your potential partners. falls and fall injuries.
Create your messages and materials. • Underscore how your community will
Develop message points—short, concise benefit from your efforts and how others
statements that reflect your main messages. are getting involved.
These are useful for internal and external Maintaining partnerships
communications as well as for presentations
to partners. Relationships need to be maintained.
While commitment is important, so is
For these messages:
continuing to review your resources, needs,
• Develop themes or adapt materials that and expectations as the program evolves.
will engage your potential partners. Involving local organizations will be an
• Produce materials (presentations, ongoing effort, so remember to engage
flyers, etc.) that will effectively convey as many facets of your community as you
your messages. can, including:
• Pretest your materials among potential • Hospitals and health care organizations
partners. • Local and state government officials
• Develop a method for tracking and offices
partnerships and other outreach efforts. • Faith-based organizations
Make contact. Whenever possible, deliver • Civic organizations
your partnership proposal in person. • Senior citizen groups
Consider bringing at least one other person,
because different communication styles and • Commercial establishments serving
dispositions can influence an encounter. older adults
Sharing the workload and presentation • Clubs that may have a large older adult
delivery reduces the pressure of thinking membership (such as the Veterans of
on your feet. However, prepare carefully in Foreign Wars)
advance to make sure that your team speaks • Universities or colleges that offer
with one voice based on the messages you academic programs or services for
develop. Delivering mixed messages creates older adults
confusion and weakens your credibility.
It is important to remind potential partners
Seal the deal. Being credible and offering of their strengths and how even seemingly
incentives are important but these may not small contributions can help prevent injury
be enough to seal the deal. Use your passion and death. Confirm how the proposed
12
