Falls Prevention
![Although falls and fall-related injuries happen more frequently with age, the good news is there are many proactive steps older adults and their families can take to prevent them. NCOA provides facts, tools, and fall prevention strategies to help keep older Americans safe.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Fc6483517-0d18-478d-89af-765c1744b611%2F2024.04-NCOA_393_Falls-Prevention_Category-770x614.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
How NCOA Supports Falls Prevention Programs and Strategies Nationwide
Center for Healthy Aging
![Learn how community care hubs, an evolving model designed to align health and social care, can help evidence-based program providers bring in more resources to serve more people.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Ff905563a-c859-48e7-b105-cb6260c26973%2FWhat-Evidence-Based-Program-Providers-Need-to-Know-iStock-1454585781-2023-11-TW-1024x512.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
National Falls Prevention Resource Center
![Chinese American women in pink shirts practicing tai chi outside](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Fe09fb49e-1dbf-4ef8-90b4-91f4c39b3db6%2F2016-Falls-Free-photo-contest-3rd-Place_FB_20221-02_1200x630.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The Falls Free® Initiative
![A senior Black woman is exercising with dumbbells at home.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F7aa08a65-e8d0-41b6-8a3b-582357f2104c%2FSenior-women-exercising-at-home_1218115713_2021-2_hero_1336x614.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
State Falls Prevention Coalitions
![Explore each State Falls Prevention Coalition, including their goals, objectives, and activities, and learn how they educate their community about older adult falls.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Fc41288c2-a6d2-43f0-9d3f-ab994f7e2436%2FState%2520Falls%2520Prevention%2520Coalition%2520Graphic-Category-770x614.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Falls Prevention Fidelity Hub
![Falls Prevention Evidence-Based Programs Fidelity Hub](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2Ffd8d2dd7-3ca6-4d87-a07e-177abf2da9b1%2F2023-Falls-Prevention-Evidence-Based%2520Program%2520Fidelity%2520Hub-TW-1024x512.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Falls Prevention Awareness Week
![Join NCOA for Falls Prevention Awareness Week, a nationwide observance with state coalitions and partners to raise awareness on preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fear of falling.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F542a30a2-f008-4cc6-a11b-539e8e5229d6%2F2023-FPAW-Hero-666X562%2520_v2.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. They threaten seniors' safety and independence, and generate enormous economic and personal costs. However, falling is not an inevitable result of aging. Through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among older adults can be substantially reduced.
The benefit and impact of evidence-based falls prevention programs
Evidence-based community falls prevention programs can significantly reduce falls and falls risk factors as well as reduce the costs associated with falls.
These community-based falls prevention programs address a wide range of falls risk factors, such as:
- Improving muscle strength and balance,
- Removing home hazards that contribute to falls, and
- Increasing confidence to engage in falls-reduction activities.
- They also reduce health care costs and have proven positive returns on investment.
How NCOA helps communities, caregivers, and older adults prevent falls
National Falls Prevention Resource Center:
NCOA supports awareness and educational efforts about falls through the following initiatives led by our- Increasing public awareness and educate consumers and professionals about the risks of falls and how to prevent falls, including our national campaign Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
- Supporting and stimulating the implementation, dissemination, and sustainability of evidence-based falls prevention programs and strategies to reduce the incidence of falls among older adults and adults with disabilities.
- Serving as the national clearinghouse of best practices and other information on falls and falls prevention.
- Creating online tools, like our Falls Free CheckUp, developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that delivers tailored recommendations and offers a wealth of falls prevention resources, including reminders to schedule follow-up doctor appointments and to retake the checkup in six months to monitor any changes in their falls risk.
Explore our falls prevention resources below and help NCOA address the growing public health issue of falls, fall-related injuries, and deaths.
Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs 101
Explore the evidence-based programs that are proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. This means benefits for individual's health and a return on investment in preventing illness and injury.
NCOA Partners in Falls Prevention
Prepare for Falls Prevention Awareness Week
Find an evidence-based program.
Evidence-based programs offer proven ways to promote health and prevent disease among older adults. Find one that meets the needs of your community.
Advocate for Falls Prevention Funding
Falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults and cost the nation $50 billion per year. Members of Congress need to hear from you—their constituents—on this important issue. Use NCOA's advocacy tool to ensure Older Americans Act (OAA) funding continues to meet the needs of older adults, their families, and their communities.
![Advocates nearing Capitol Hill](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com%3A443%2Fffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca%2F30e85266-e948-4c21-abf7-d8ea1cab7fa4%2FHillDay24_group.jpg&w=1920&q=75)