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Fall Prevention

This section was developed in response to escalating public health concerns around falls and fall-related injuries among older adults. It also was inspired by the challenges of providing easily accessible and useful information to the public and the County of San Diego Aging and Independence Services' commitment to responding to the needs of the community and empowering individuals and the community to make safe and healthy living choices.

The goal of this section is to collect and make accessible existing best-practice information and local resources around fall prevention for those who could benefit most: older adults and persons with disabilities, their caregivers, physicians, and other health and social service providers.

Resource Guide

To find community agencies that provide fall prevention services, such as exercise programs, home safety modification, home health services and more, view our Fall Prevention Resource Guide.

Toolkit for Providers - NEW

This toolkit was made especially for San Diego clinicians and service providers. It is the mission of the San Diego Fall prevention Task Force to reduce falls and their devastating consequences on residents of San Diego County. We believe this toolkit will give you the tools and information you need to join in our efforts. The sections in this toolkit include information for providers, a "Get Up and Go Test," information for older adults, and an exercise guide. Please click on the links below to access the different sections of the provider's toolkit.  

• Introduction
• Information for Providers
• Profile of California Falls
• Medications and Falls in the Elderly
• The "Get Up and Go Test"
• Information for Older Adults
• Catch Yourself: Simple Steps to Prevent Falls
• Home Modification
• Preventing Outdoor Falls
• Exercise Guide

    Videos

• Click Here for "Don't Fall for It" (10 Minutes) - the short version provides a brief overview of the problem, common risk factors and simple steps anyone can take to lower their risk of falling.
  
  
• Click Here for "Don't Fall for It" (28 Minutes) - the long version describes the above information in more detail and highlights the personal stories of three elderly individuals.
  
  
• Click Here for Spanish version of "Don't Fall for It" (14 Minutes) - this version provides an overview of the problem, common risk factors and simple steps anyone can take to lower their risk of falling.

    San Diego Fall Prevention Information

• A Matter of Balance NEW
• Fall Prevention Task Force “Don’t Fall For It” Campaign - pdf
• Elderly Falls Report 2005 (Full Report) - pdf
  
• Are You at Risk of Falling? - pdf
  
• Emergency Phone Numbers - pdf
  
• Falls Prevention Checklist - pdf
  
• Vial of Life - pdf - Vials of Life consists of a magnetic plastic holder that contains a form with your specific health information. Please keep the Vial of Life on your refrigerator and in case of emergency, paramedics will be able to refer to the Vial of Life and save precious time. To request the Vial of Life magnetic plastic holder, please call 1-800-510-2020. Make sure to keep your help information updated and accurate. The form can by downloaded by clicking on this link, so that you may print out a new form at any time.
  

    Other Resources

• A Tool Kit to Prevent Senior Falls: Falls in Nursing Homes
  
• A Tool Kit to Prevent Senior Falls: The Costs of Fall Injuries Among Older Adults
  
• Check For Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults - pdf
  
• Collection of Fall Prevention Checklists - pdf
  
• Falls Prevention: Your Safety Checklist and Guide - pdf
  
• How to Reduce Your Risk of Falling
  
• Morse Fall Scale - pdf
  

National Institute on Aging Resources  

• Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging
• Exercise and Physical Activity Guide - PDF

Facts, General Information and Research

• Falls Among Older Adults: Summary of Research Findings
  
• Falls and Fractures
  
• Falls and Hip Fractures Among Older Adults
  
• Falls: General Information - pdf
  
• Guideline for the Prevention of Falls in Older Persons - pdf
  
• Guidelines for Fall Prevention in Acute, Sub-acute and Residential Care Settings - pdf
  
• Nursing Best Practice Guideline: Prevention of Fall and Injuries in the Older Adult - pdf
  
• Preventing Falls and Related Fractures - pdf
  
• Preventing Falls in the Elderly
  
• Prevention of Falls
  
• Tai Chi for Older People Reduces Falls, May Help Maintain Strength
  
• Tai Chi May Combat Seniors' Fear of Falling
  
• Why Do We Fall?

Although resources in this section have been selectively chosen, it is a work in progress and we recognize that not all available resources are included. Please contact us with comments, questions or suggestions for additional resources to help make this site as comprehensive and user-friendly as possible.