California Senior Fall Prevention Coalitions

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California Senior Fall Prevention
Coalitions
Terri Restelli-Deits, MSWArea Agency on Aging
Serving Napa and Solano CA Fall Prevention
Summit / December 5, 2007
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Project Goals

• Encourage the development of new community senior
  fall prevention coalitions and support the
  ongoing work of existing coalitions.
• Through these coalitions, focus community
  attention on senior falls, and improve the
  coordination of fall prevention activities and
  services.

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Coalition Support

• Funding for coalition projects provided by the
  Archstone Foundation.
• Technical assistance and evaluation services
  provided by the Fall Prevention Center of
  Excellence.

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Phase IApril 2006 September 2007

• 5 Coalitions Funded
• Member Recruitment
• Needs Assessment
• Strategic Planning
• Community activity to build community support for
  fall prevention and the coalition

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Archstone Fall Prevention Coalition Projects
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Phase IIOctober 2007 March 2009

• All 5 Coalitions refunded for continuation
  activities focus on policy development,
  sustainability, activities and products to
  coalesce community interest in fall prevention
• 5 new coalitions in additional geographic areas
  selected for funding
• Mentoring program between old and new coalitions
  established

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Napa Valley Fall Prevention Coalition

• Healthy Aging Initiative
• Archstone Foundation awards coalition grant award
  to Area Agency on Aging, with support from CA
  Center for Excellence. Napa Coalition formed
  April 2006
• Multidisciplinary coalition of agencies and
  leaders with passion and commitment to improve
  health, well-being and quality of life for Napas
  older adults    

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Shared Vision

• The Initiative partners work together in the
  spirit of collaboration not competition to build
  senior friendly communities and policies
• Identified falls among seniors as a key health
  issue to be addressed

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The Planning Process

• Member Recruitment
• Needs Assessment
• Strategic Planning
• Community activity to build community support for
  fall prevention and the coalition

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Goals and Objectives

• Significantly reduce falls resulting in injury
  among older adults in Napa County
• Maintain optimal quality of life for seniors
• Increase
• Knowledge
• Access
• Policies/Systems change

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Accomplishments to Date

• A strong strategic plan
• Summit with extensive community involvement
• Progress with funding and sustainability
• Recruitment of paid staff
• Presence in the community through participation
  in community events and media
• Expanding group of stakeholders

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Impact

• Community awareness
• Advocacy tools such as Proclamations and
  Resolutions
• Board of Supervisors and Community Funders took
  notice
• Napa County and Queen of the Valley Hospital
  funds Napa Valleys first Fall Prevention Program
  and staff Coordinator and Health Education
  Specialist
• Coalition working together to leverage resources

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Strategies Moving Forward

• Community and Provider Awareness and Education
• Fall Prevention Coordination and Assistance
• Physical Activity, Balance Mobility and Health
  Promotion Programs
• Affordable Home Modification
• Public/Institutional Policy Advocacy and
  Development
• Data for Surveillance