Professionals in the Community
From medical providers and volunteer firefighters to health educators and countless others, professionals across different sectors can play an important role in preventing falls.
Why does it matter? Because reducing fall risk can help prevent serious injuries like hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries, lower fall-related hospitalizations and healthcare costs, and most importantly, help us stay mobile, independent, and connected to the lives and communities we love as we age.
Find practical tips, tools, and resources tailored to your role by exploring the dropdowns below.
Follow the CDC STEADI’s Algorithm for Fall Risk Screening, Assessment, and Intervention to develop a policy/procedure (or check with your agency to see if a policy already exists) to screen older adult patients for fall risk annually. | Screening for Falls Risk
Engage an Occupational or Physical Therapist in your patient’s care. Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association | American Physical Therapy Association (Wisconsin Chapter)
Refer your patients to a pharmacist for a medication review. CDC STEADI Medication Review Framework | American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated Beers Criteria
Refer your patients to an evidence-based falls prevention program such as Stepping On
Understand the link between chronic conditions and fall risk
Discuss alcohol-use and the potential risks of alcohol and falls with your patients using a validated alcohol screening tool (Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test – Geriatric (SMAST-G))
Discuss osteopenia/osteoporosis risk with your patients and follow screening recommendations Provider Tool | Consumer Handout
Conduct annual medication reviews with clients
Educate your clients on how certain medications can increase their risk of falling
Refer patient to an evidence-based falls prevention program such as Stepping On
Use the Addressing Older Adult Falls Through Coordinated Collaboration Between Community-Based Organizations and Emergency Medical Services Toolkit
Partner with your local county or tribal aging unit, Aging & Disability Resource Center or healthcare system to develop a referral system for lift assist calls that you respond to. Consider using systems like ImageTrend or Jotform for referrals or implementing a Community EMS Program. Contact your Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RTAC) if you are interested in using Jotform or ImageTrend in your community.
When responding to lift assist calls, provide falls prevention resources before leaving. Examples: Milwaukee County Falls Prevention Coalition Community Fall Prevention Toolkit (available in English and Spanish) | Rack Card | Magnet
Engage in community programming for falls prevention, such as Stepping On, Steps to Safety™ Prevent Fire and Falls at Home, or Mugs for Rugs
Implement a lift-assist referral program. Example – Brown County
1. EMS & ADRC Falls Prevention Referral Process
2. High-Level Process
3. Sample Consumer Letter
Provide a home assessment for patients to identify falls risk hazards and work with patients to mitigate those risks
Follow the CDC STEADI’s Algorithm for Fall Risk Screening, Assessment, and Intervention to develop a policy/procedure (or check with your agency to see if a policy already exists) to screen older adult patients for fall risk | Screening for Falls Risk
Educate patients on how to use assistive devices correctly
Build patients’ confidence in performing their activities of daily living. By building confidence, this may help reduce the fear of falling that some older adults have
Use the Addressing Older Adult Falls Through Coordinated Collaboration Between Community-Based Organizations and Emergency Medical Services Toolkit
Develop or join a local fall prevention coalition. View Falls Free Wisconsin’s Coalition Quick Guide.
Consider becoming a program provider or facilitator of an evidence-based falls prevention program like Stepping On | Stepping On Implementation Guide
Host community awareness events and campaigns during National Falls Prevention Week/Month in September | View our Promotional Resources | How to Plan a Falls Prevention Event | Dane County Example | Portage County Example
Collect falls data to show the impact that falls have in your community
Educate the public about the importance of falls prevention and how to reduce falls risk
Developing the Capacity to Support Older Adult Falls – NACCHO Resource for local health departments
Sample Community Presentations: Prevent Falls as We Age | Feet First (Brown County)
Follow the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for resident safety
Have a policy/procedure in place and ensure employees and family members know what to do in case a fall occurs – call 911 if needed, check vitals, discuss prevention of future falls, etc.,
Hold falls prevention educational programs – like a Stepping On workshop (for independent living facilities only) or Bingocize.
Post signs for residents throughout the facility with falls prevention tips on topics such as:
-Proper footwear
-Proper lighting (especially for bathroom trips at night)
-Using assistive devices like canes and walkers – Don’t forget your walker!
-Slow and steady wins the race
-Reach back for the chair before you sit
-Always have 3 points of contactProvide resources for incontinence and bladder control exercises/strategies – consider offering a Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Life workshop
Ensure caregivers and family members have the resources they need to start the conversation about falls prevention
Consider completing fall risk screenings prior to admission or if there is a change in the resident’s condition
Help residents access resources such as occupational or physical therapy, medication reviews, exercise programs, vision exams, etc.,
Falls in Assisted Living Facilities (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
Educate students on the CDC STEADI resources
Connect students with local fall/injury prevention coalitions so they can participate in fall prevention events (e.g. have Physical Therapy students conduct balance screenings)
Partner with your local health system for volunteer opportunities
Assign Falls Free Wisconsin’s Home Safety Challenge as homework
