Getting Started
An easy first step is to spread the message that falls are preventable. Use the information on this website to raise awareness and educate adults and professionals that falls are not a normal part of getting older.
Distribute the Minnesota Falls Prevention handouts available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Lao, and Khmer.
Falls Data in Your Community
Minnesota had the 5th highest fall death rate in the US in 2009 at 14.03/100,000; nearly two times the US rate of 8.08. Minnesota’s fall death rate continues to rise.
Review the data on falls in your local community and Minnesota.
- Read Falls Among Minnesota Adults, August 2012
- For county level mortality data, visit CDC wonder at: http://wonder.cdc.gov. Click on: Mortality-underlying cause of death
- For state mortality data, visit WISQARS at http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html
- For county level hospital data, visit MIDAS at http://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/midas
Bringing Partners Together
- Identify agencies and individuals who have an interest in preventing falls. Some ideas are listed below.
- Complete a community inventory of fall prevention programs and services, identify gaps in programs and services, and develop a plan to fill the gaps.
- Include services to persons with disabilities and special health care needs in your community inventory. Learn about initiatives to improve community based services.
- Develop strategies to reduce and prevent falls.
- Be sure to include older adults in your planning activities.
- For more ideas visit the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence at http://www.stopfalls.org/grantees_info/index.shtml
- Learn strategies to encourage greater use of effective fall prevention services
Agencies | Individuals |
---|---|
Area Agency on Aging |
Geriatric nurse practioners |
Getting the Tools in Place
- Review Community Based Fall Prevention: It's a Team Sport (pdf) by Dr. Ericka Tung, Mayo Clinic.