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Fall Prevention

Have you or a loved one slipped or fallen recently? You are not alone, one in four older adults (65+) fall each year and as we get older, we are more likely to fall. In 2016, over 20,000 older adults were treated and discharged from the Emergency Department and an additional 7,000 were admitted for inpatient care in San Diego alone.  

The good news is that many falls are preventable, and you CAN reduce your risk of falling!

About the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services sponsors the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force, a community-based coalition composed of healthcare professionals, senior service providers, and community advocates. It's mission is to reduce falls and their devastating consequences in San Diego County.

Meetings occur on ZOOM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. In 2025, meetings will be dark in June, September, November, and December.

2026 Meeting Dates: Jan 13, Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12, Jul 14, Aug 11, Oct 13,  Nov 10

Meeting details:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87633393359
Meeting ID: 876 3339 3359
Call-In Option: 1 (253) 215-8782

Meeting dates are subject to change. Those interested in attending our meetings are encouraged to subscribe to the listserv to receive important reminders and updates to the meeting schedule via email. To subscribe to the listserv, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500. 

Task Force Materials

The Task Force has developed several materials including a pamphlet with fall facts, questions to ask your healthcare provider, steps on how to get up from a fall, and home safety checklist. To request hard copies of these materials, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500 with your preferred quantities, language(s), and full mailing address.

Dignity At Home Fall Prevention Program

Aging & Independence Services is providing free fall prevention items to qualifying program participants, including home safety products, assistive devices and other tools to prevent falls and encourage healthy aging.

To qualify, you must:

• Be aged 60 and older or a person with a disability of any age
• Be a resident of San Diego County
• Be at risk of falling

Click Here to view a list of items and submit a request.

Questions? Email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500. 

Six Easy Steps to Prevent Falls

Evidence-Based Fall Prevention Programs

San Diego County is home to several evidence-based programs that are proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. For questions about any of these programs, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500. 

Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance

Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance (TCMBB) is a modified version of the Yang style of Tai Chi that commonly is done using either 108, or, in the "short form," 24 different positions. TCMBB further simplifies the traditional style and has only 8 essential positions, moving in a slow, flowing, and controlled fasion. This program was developed by Dr. Fuzhong Li at Oregon Research Institute and was designed especially for older adults to reduce their risk of falls. Evidence suggests that participating in TCMBB can reduce falls and fear of falling; and increase functional balance and physical performance. For a current list of classes, visit www.HealthierLivingSD.org.

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention (TCAFP) utilizes the Sun style of Tai Chi. Movements are taught to both left and right sides and with turns to move forward and backward to improve mobility and offer a variety of combinations. This program has been shown to improve movement, balance, strength, and flexibility; offer relaxation; and decrease pain and falls and is appropriate for people with or without arthritis, and those at a higher risk of falling. For a current list of classes, visit www.HealthierLivingSD.org.

A Matter of Balance

A Matter of Balance is specifically designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults The program includes eight 2-hour classes presented to small groups of 8-12 participants led by trained coaches. The program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. The curriculum includes group discussions, mutual problem-solving, role-play activities, exercise training, and assertiveness training. Participants learn about the imporance of exercise in preventing falls and practice exercises to improve strength, coordiantion, and balance. Classes are being offered in the Central, North Central, and South regions only. For a current list of classes in the North Central region, call 858-626-6160. For a current list of classes in the Central and South regions, call 619-543-1957.

Feeling Fit Club

The Feeling Fit Club is a functional Fitness Program designed for older adults of all abilities. The goals of the program are to offer a safe, comfortable environment for older adults to engage in physical activity as well as to help older adults develop and maintain their level of physical fitness. In addition to learning about the benefits of exercise, health, and fitness components, this program encourages social interaction, fun, and help to build self-esteem. The classes include 4 core components: strength (upper body, lower body, and core), balance, aerobic endurance, and flexibility. All moves and exercises are designed to be adapted to various physical abilities and can be performed from a seated or standing position. Program evaluation has shown improvement in participants’ strength, flexibility, balance, and ability to perform activities of daily living. For a current list of classes, visit www.HealthierLivingSD.org.

Bingocize

Bingocize is a health education program that incorporates exercise and fall prevention messages with the familiar game of bingo. Health outcomes include improved lower and upper body strength, gait, and range of motion; increased social engagement; and improved knowledge of fall risk reduction. Classes are being offered in the Central, North Central, and South regions only. For a current list of classes in the North Central region, call 858-626-6160. For a current list of classes in the Central and South regions, call 619-543-1957.

Local Resources

San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force

The San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force can host a resource table with educational materials, handouts, and other items at community events. If you would like to request this service, email the Health Promotion Team or call 858-495-5500 and provide a brief description of the audience, time/day request, and number of attendees.

The San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force hosts a Speakers Bureau and Balance Screeners Bureau. The Speakers Bureau provides free fall prevention presentations at various community settings such as libraries, senior living communities, and senior centers, both in-person and virtually. Presentation topics include statistics on older adult falls, strategies for prevention, and community resources. The Balance Screeners Bureau - conducts fall risk screenings (Timed Up and Go) at community events. The Task Force also provides resource tables at community events where there is no fee to participate, or the fee can be waived for non-profit groups. Attendees are provided educational materials and resources to empower themselves and others in reducing fall risk.

To request these services, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov with the following information: 

• Name of requestor 
• Location/address
• Estimated number of participants
• Service (presentation, screenings, or both)
• Date
• Time 

Alternatively, call 858-495-5500 and leave a voicemail with these details. A program representative will reach out to you to confirm your request. 

Fall Prevention Video Library

In 2020 and 2021, Aging & Independence Services, the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force, and its partners hosted virtual Fall Prevention Summits which featured workshops on a wide range of topics, including medication management, home safety, and nutrition. Click the button below to access these workshop recordings. 

Vial of Life

The Vial of Life is a magnetized plastic sleeve that can be attached to your refrigerator door. Inside the sleeve is a form you can complete with important information for first responders to access in the event of a fall or medical emergency. Items you can list include health conditions or disabilities, current medications and immunizations, allergies, physician and emergency contacts, location of advanced healthcare directive (if applicable), and insurance details. Also included in the sleeve is a sticker that can be placed on your front door or window to notify first responders to look for the Vial of Life on your refrigerator door. To request a Vial of Life, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500 with your preferred quantities and full mailing address.

State and National Resources

Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries Toolkit

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention created the STEADI initiative for healthcare providers who treat older adults who are at risk of falling, or who may have fallen in the past. There are also educational brochures about fall prevention specifically designed for your patients and their caregivers.

National Falls Prevention Resource Center

The National Council on Aging houses the National Falls Prevention Resource Center which increases public awareness about the risk of falls and supports the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based falls prevention programs and strategies across the nation. The online Resource Center has fall prevention content and messaging tailored to specific audiences, including professionals, caregivers, and older adults. Additionally, it has developed the Falls Free CheckUp tool so you can check to see if you’re at risk for falling.