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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!

September 20–26 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week, a nationwide observance dedicated to raising awareness about fall prevention, reducing fall risk, and helping older adults live safely and confidently without fear of falling.

One of the best ways to stay healthy and independent as we age is to understand your personal risk of falling. The good news is that many falls are preventable!

Please join us for a variety of educational events focused on fall prevention for older adults. Learn about proven strategies to reduce your risk of falling, improve your safety, and support healthy, independent aging.

For a flyer with these events, please click here

Alzheimer's San Diego Skills Clinic: Balance & Fall Prevention

SRCA Community Center

Address: 11885 Cypress Canyon Rd, San Diego 92131

Time: Fri 9/11 @ 10 am – 11:30 am

Register Here

Palomar Fall Prevention Resource Fair

Palomar Health

Address: 2185 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido 92029

Time: Sun 9/20 @ 10 am – 1 pm

UCSD Fall Prevention Event

Kimball Senior Center

Address: 1221 D Ave, Ste 101, National City 91950

Time: Mon 9/21 @ 10 am – 1 pm

Register Here

Scripps Webinar: Understanding the WHY: Falls, Aging & What We Can Do to Reduce Risk

Virtual

Time: Mon 9/21 @ 12 pm – 1:30 pm

Register Here

Stronger Steps Fall Prevention Event

Indian Health Council

Address: 50100 Golsh Rd, Valley Center 92082

Time: Tues 9/22 @ 10 am – 1 pm

Saving Claire Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Grossmont Healthcare District

Address: 9001 Wakarusa St, La Mesa 91942

Time: Tues 9/22 @ 10 am – 12 pm

Register Here

ElderHelp Webinar 

Virtual

Time: Tues 9/22 @ 12 pm – 1 pm

Register Here

Scripps Webinar: Movement, Strength & Balance Class

Virtual

Time: Tues 9/22 @ 1 pm – 2 pm

Register Here

Fall Prevention Presentation

Park Avenue Community Center

Address: 210 Park Ave, Escondido 92025

Time: Wed 9/23 @ 10:15 am – 11 am

Scripps Webinar: Medication Safety & Fall Prevention

Virtual

Time: Wed 9/23 @ 12 pm – 1 pm

Register Here

Fall Prevention Presentation

La Mesa Parkinson's Support Group

Address: 5940 Kelton Ave, La Mesa 91942

Time: Wed 9/23 @ 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm

Sharp Fall Prevention Event

Grossmont Healthcare District

Address: 9001 Wakarusa St, La Mesa 91942

Time: Thurs 9/24 @ 9 am – 12 pm

Register Here

Scripps: Healthy Bones Class

Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo

Address: 15004 Innovation Drive, San Diego 92128

Time: Thurs 9/24 @ 1 pm – 1:50 pm

Register Here

Fall Prevention Task Force Quarterly Webinar

Virtual

Time: Thurs 9/24 @ 2 pm – 2:30 pm

Register Here

Scripps Webinar: Strength, Balance & Mobility Strategies to Help Prevent Falls

Virtual

Time: Friday 9/25 @ 1 pm – 2 pm

Register Here

Fall Prevention Presentation

Mottino Family YMCA

Address: 4701 Mesa Dr

Time: Friday 9/25 @ 1 pm – 2 pm

Alzheimer's San Diego Safety at Home Workshop

San Diego Oasis at Rancho Bernardo

Address: 17170 Bernardo Ctr Dr, San Diego 92128

Time: Mon 9/28 @ 1 pm – 2:30 pm

Register Here

Fall Prevention Presentation and Balance Screenings

Fallbrook Regional Health District

Address: 1636 E Mission Rd, Fallbrook 92028

Time: Wed 9/30 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Register Here

If you have questions, please contact HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (858) 495-5500.

About the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force

Monthly Meetings

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 2026, meetings will be dark in June, September, and December.

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

*All meetings are virtual except the meetings in March and October which will be in-person at the County Operations Center, 5560 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123

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 and recieve the meeting link, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500. 

Services

The Task Force provides free resource tables and balance screenings at community events as well as presentations at various community settings such as libraries, senior living communities, and senior centers. If you would like to request these services, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500 with a brief description of the audience, time/day request, and expected number of attendees.

Resources

To request digital or hard copies of these resources, please email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500. 

Fall Prevention Pamphlet

Regional Fall Prevention Guides

Vial of Life

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. 

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. 

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. Tai Chi classes are available in all regions of the county. 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. Tai Chi classes are available in all regions of the county. 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 available in select regions. Please contact the providers below directly for more information: 

• Central Region: call 619-543-1957
• North Central Region: 858-626-6160
• South Region: call 619-543-1957 or email SouthBayMOB@comforcare.com

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. Feeling Fit Club classes are available in all regions of the county. 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 available in select regions. Please contact the providers below directly for more information:

• Central/South Region: call 619-543-1957
• North Central Region: 858-626-6160

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL)

SAIL is a strength, balance, and flexibility fitness program focusing on fall prevention. Exercises can be done from a seated or standing position. Classes meet three times a week for one hour. Health outcomes include significant improvements in strength, balance, and mobility in those who were below normal limits at baseline, and in those who attended classes twice a week or more for more than two months. At this time, classes are available in the South region only. Please email mrodriguezgyamfi@health.ucsd.edu for more information. 

State and National Resources

Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) 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.

• Clinical Resources: STEADI basics, clinical tools, and functional assessments
• Online Provider Training: CE credits available
• Patient & Caregiver Resources: including fact sheets and brochures

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.

• FallsFree CheckUp
• Maintaining Your Medication Record Form
• Home Safety Checklist for Fall Prevention
• Debunking the Myths of Older Adult Falls
• List of Evidence-Based Fall Prevention Programs