Monday, September 15, 2025
As the leaves begin to fall this September, let’s make sure our older adults don’t. Every September, communities nationwide spotlight Falls Prevention Awareness Month, an observance aimed at educating and equipping older adults and caregivers with tools to reduce fall risk and maintain independence.
Why Falls Prevention Matters
- Annually, more than one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls, yet fewer than half report the fall to their doctor. Falling once doubles the risk of falling again.
- These incidents lead to approximately 3 million emergency department visits and 1 million hospitalizations each year.
- Falls account for a majority of hip fracture-related injuries and a large share of traumatic brain injuries among older adults.
Fortunately, most falls are preventable through education, environmental modifications, strength training, and healthcare collaboration.
How AgeGuide & Funded Partners Support Falls Prevention Locally
AgeGuide and its Funded Partners play a pivotal role in connecting older adults and their families to fall prevention resources.
- Evidence-Based Programs: AgeGuide supports and helps train providers to deliver interventions such as A Matter of Balance under formal licensing agreements.
- Strategic Partnerships & Network Reach: AgeGuide participates in the Illinois Falls Prevention Coalition and broader Illinois Pathways to Health initiatives, strengthening efforts statewide.
- Caregiver Training: In collaboration with Trualta, AgeGuide offers on-demand training modules on fall prevention, helping caregivers access critical information remotely.
- Information & Referrals: AgeGuide’s certified Information & Referral specialists assist older adults and caregivers, connecting them with community services or programs like ADRNs and Caregiver Resource Centers.
Call to Action: What You Can Do This September
- Take the Falls Free CheckUp: Offered by the NCOA, this quick online tool helps assess fall risk and suggests next steps.
- Evaluate your Living Space: Spot hazards around the home where clutter, poor lighting, or unstable surfaces might increase risks.
- Get Active: Explore local classes or AgeGuide-backed programs like Tai Chi for Fall Prevention or “A Matter of Balance.”
- Engage your healthcare provider: Ask about medication side effects, vitamin D, and routine vision or hearing screening.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for AgeGuide’s newsletter or follow them on social media to receive updates on classes, resources, and safety tips.
September’s recognition of Falls Prevention Awareness Month creates awareness and builds a nationwide commitment to keeping older adults active, confident, and free from preventable injury.
