Enhancing connections between community based organizations and health care using a fall prevention intervention

“Enhancing connections between community based organizations and health care using a fall prevention intervention.” A Matter of Balance/Lay Leader Model (MOB) is an evidence based fall management program for community dwelling older adults. Outcomes include increased falls management, falls efficacy, reduced self reported falls, and increased activity levels. MOB utilizes a train the trainer model which enhances the ability to disseminate the program through a wide range of community organizations, public health, and health care organizations. Because of the critical role falls play in unintentional injury, and death in older adults, fall prevention is a natural target for collaboration between community organizations, health care and older adults. Health care providers can serve as critical sources of identification of fall risk and referral to community organizations that offer MOB, as well as other support services which help older adults maintain their independence. Over 35,000 older adults have participated in the program nationally. With the development of Accountable Care Organizations, this early collaboration around fall prevention programming has established relationships critical to expanded integration of community interventions and health care which focus on the older adult.