November is Fall Prevention Month. This year the theme is: We All Have a Role to Play

Falls in older adults are predictable and preventable. Fall prevention month is an opportunity to increase awareness of the issue and encourage action to prevent falls and injuries from falls.

About Fall Prevention Month

Fall Prevention Month is a campaign that encourages organizations and individuals to come together to coordinate fall prevention efforts for a larger impact. Organizations are participating by planning activities and sharing evidence-based information on fall prevention for one day, a week or the entire month.

Why do we need Fall Prevention Month?

Older adults are a vital part of families and communities. Falling can lead to depression, mobility problems, loss of independence and death.

In Canada

  • Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults
  • The average Canadian older adult stays in hospital 10 days longer for falls than for any other cause
  • Falls in older adults account for $2 billion in direct health care costs annually
  • Over 1/3 of older adults will be admitted to long-term care after hospitalization for a fall

In Winnipeg

  • Each year in Winnipeg, one in three adults over 65 years of age will experience a fall
  • Approximately one third of people 65 years of age and older and one half of people 80 years of age and older will fall each year

2017 National Fall Prevention Month Toolkit

We are very pleased to share the online toolkit and wish you every success in your fall prevention initiatives.

The resources within this toolkit have been divided into seven categories:

  • Information for Older Adults – These resources are geared towards older adults and include information on general fall prevention, healthy eating and staying active, medications, preventing falls at home, what to do if you have a fall, and more. Use these resources as client handouts.
  • Promotion and Media – These resources will help you promote your Fall Prevention Month activities. In this category, you will find Fall Prevention Month logos, media tools (i.e. sample media release and social media guide), posters and more.
  • Sample Activities for November – Need ideas for what to do this November? Find suggestions for exercise and fitness events, awareness building activities and group activities.
  • Practitioner Resources – Find resources to support your work in fall prevention such as continuing education resources, guides, guidelines and reports, portals and resources, and communities of practice.
  • Ongoing Programs and Interventions – Find a list of evidence-informed and evaluated programs as well as promising practices and longer-term initiatives that are used by other organizations.
  • Statistics and Infographics – Find fall statistics for Canada plus provincial statistics and reports.
  • Evaluation Tools – Find an evaluation you can use to help you evaluate your Fall Prevention Month activities. Tell us how it went! Fill out our evaluation to help us make Fall Prevention Month even better.

To download the complete toolkit visit http://fallpreventionmonth.ca/toolkit and click on “Download All English (or French) Resources as Zip File.”

Note: To open a zip file, you may need to install free unzipping software such as WinZip. The WinZip website has detailed instructions on how to unzip with WinZip. If you are using alternate unzipping software, please see that company’s website for help or speak with your IT department.

Indigenous Fall Prevention Resources

Safe for Elders, Safe for All or click here: www.safeforelders.com

The Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council is dedicated to keeping our Elders safe and ensuring they are able to remain within their homes and their communities for as long as possible.

All content © 2016 NNTC.

Spread the Word in Your Community

During the first week of November, connect with us daily and learn how you can reduce your risk of falling:

Facebook

Twitter

Manitoba Websites: