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National Council on Aging funds falls prevention program

Eighteen organizations will develop plans to make aging in place safer

Updated:

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By:
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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.

Photo by Bruno Aguirre on Unsplash

Key Insights

  • 18 organizations across the U.S. awarded grants to pilot new falls prevention activities
  • Initiative aims to test flexible, community-tailored approaches under ACL Innovation Lab
  • Activities span physical activity, home safety, and education to reduce risk of falls

As people age, falling down becomes a greater threat. Head injuries in falls can be lethal.

The National Council on Aging has launched an initiative to reduce injuries connected to falls. It has selected 18 organizations across the country to receive funding through the ACL Innovation Lab, a partnership with the Administration for Community Living (ACL). 

The initiative will evaluate innovative, adaptable strategies to help prevent falls among older adults, a significant public health challenge that affects one in four Americans over age 65 each year.

Falls are not only the leading cause of injury among older Americans but also carry a steep economic toll — costing billions in health care each year. Yet, they are largely preventable.

Community-centered approach

Over the next two years, the funded organizations will test new approaches selected for falls prevention developed by NCOA. These activities are grouped into three primary categories: 

  • Physical activity
  • Home modification and assistive devices
  • Education and behavior change

Each grantee has tailored their programming to the needs and capacities of their local communities, creating a unique opportunity to identify scalable, sustainable solutions.

“Grantees had the freedom to select activities that are right for their community, build on their existing services, and can be sustained with the resources and capacity they have,” said Emily Nabors, associate director of Innovation at NCOA’s Center for Healthy Aging. “It’s an exciting opportunity that could advance the evolution of falls prevention programming.”

Examples of these activities include balance and strength training exercises, home safety education, and promoting proper use of assistive devices like walkers and hearing aids. Participating organizations will also receive technical assistance to strengthen their capacity and ensure that program design reflects community voices and values.

A nationwide network

The 18 funded organizations span urban and rural communities across 16 states, including:

  • Bridge to Health NM – Espanola, NM
  • Live Healthy Little Havana, Inc. – Miami, FL
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center – Senior Services – Los Angeles, CA
  • Delta Health Alliance – Leland, MS
  • University of Hawaii Center on the Family – Honolulu, HI
  • VCU Injury and Violence Prevention Program – Richmond, VA
  • Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association – Harrisburg, PA
  • …and 11 others serving diverse populations nationwide.

By supporting these diverse grantees, NCOA and ACL hope to broaden the understanding of what falls prevention looks like across varied settings and demographics.