Education

Each year, one-third to one-half of the population age 65 and over experience falls. Moreover, half of the elderly people who experience falls do so repeatedly. Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults. Deterioration of balance is a major cause for falls. Balance screenings can be helpful to determine risk factors for falling. With proper education and balance re-training programs, medical research has shown that falls are not a normal part of aging and can be prevented to a significant degree.

Informational Presentations: We provide free 20-30 minute presentations and education materials for community and senior groups (minimum 15 people) about fall prevention, education, and the predictable and preventable nature of falls.

If you are interested in setting up a falls education presentation, please contact Ashley Hart, Fall Prevention Program Coordinator at (559) 278-7539 or email Ashley.

Below are links to education websites geared towards seniors, caregivers, health providers, and educators.

Falls Education Links
Resources for Individuals and Families
http://www.stopfalls.org/individuals_families/index.html
http://www.caring.com/falling-down-injuries
http://www.caring.com/articles/importance-of-exercise
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/cksafety.pdf
http://www.valleycrc.org/
http://www.fmaaa.org/

Resources for Service Providers
http://www.stopfalls.org/service_providers/index.html
http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=74

Resources for Researchers and Educators
http://www.stopfalls.org/researchers_educators/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Falls: Older Adults
Statistics and Data about Falls and Fact Sheets
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/index.html

California Senior Legislature
Mission: help preserve and enhance the quality of life for older Californians and their families.
The California Senior Legislature is a volunteer body whose primary mission is to gather ideas for legislation at the state and federal levels, craft the ideas into formal proposals, prioritize the proposals, present them to members of the Legislature or the Congress, and advocate for laws implementing the ideas.

http://www.4csl.org/
If you are at risk for falls or have fallen…
If you know someone who is at risk for falls…
If you would like to learn more about preventing falls…
If you would like to attend a free community balance screening for older adults…
If you would like to host a balance screening at your organization or would like to set up an educational presentation…
If you would like to join or receive more information about the Fresno Regional Fall Prevention Coalition…

Contact Ashley Hart, Project Coordinator, Fresno State Fall Prevention Program at (559) 278-7539 or email Ashley.