Page 29 - Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults

Chapter 6. Implementing Your Fall Prevention Program

CHAPTER 6

Implementing Your Fall

Prevention Program

The implementation step combines previous planning
activities with complementary outreach, education and
communication strategies. It includes how well the
program is delivered consistently by different program
staff, and the extent to which the program is adapted or
modified over time.

Identify your target audience

Think about the people in your community that you
would like to enroll in the fall prevention program.
• Who are they?

• Where do they live?
• Where do they gather?

• What issues are important to them?
• How do they get their information?

• What is their native language?
• What is their reading level?

Use this information to identify effective communication
strategies.

Consider who can help you reach older adults by
recommending or promoting your program. Give
information about your program to the following local
health care providers:
• Health care professionals who regularly see older
adult patients
• Physical therapists, who screen for and manage older
adults’ mobility issues
• Emergency medical services (EMS) providers, who deliver
emergency treatment after a fall

23
23