3. Expanding Community-Based Fall Prevention Activities: Lessons Learned from the California Senior Fall Prevention Projects

Most of what is known about fall prevention activities emanates from randomized controlled trials. However, community organizations often have difficulty with translating these rigorous findings into existing service structures or their local area. This presentation will describe activities, outcomes, and lessons learned for two types of local capacity-building projects funded by the Archstone Foundation's Senior Fall Prevention Initiative. First, 10 Coalition Development projects are developing sustainable networks of organizations from health, social service, housing, and emergency services along with consumers to improve coordination, advocacy, program development, and education about fall prevention as a key public health priority. Coalition achievements include establishing community information and referral systems, organizing community events, strengthening partnerships, securing additional funds to promote sustainability, and developing policy activities to advocate for fall prevention on the local and state levels. In addition, 6 agencies are implementing Program Expansion projects, which are designed to enhance existing fall prevention services by incorporating an additional multifactorial component (physical activity, medical management, and home modifications). Programs located in various health and social service settings are targeting those most in need, using risk screening tools and integrating multiple fall prevention components for individual participants. The most successful projects are those with strong, stable leadership, a solid multifactorial component already in place, existing linkages with partner agencies, and a readily-available participant pool with a perceived need for fall prevention. Challenges include staff turnover, difficulty collaborating with external organizations, and program evaluation activities.