California Senior Fall Prevention Coalitions Terri RestelliDeits MSW

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

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

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

Phase I April 2006 – September 2007 5 Coalitions Funded n Member Recruitment n Needs Assessment n Strategic Planning n Community activity to build community support for fall prevention and the coalition

Archstone Fall Prevention Coalition Projects

Phase II October 2007 – March 2009 n All 5 Coalitions refunded for continuation activities: focus on policy development, sustainability, activities and products to coalesce community interest in fall prevention n 5 new coalitions in additional geographic areas selected for funding n Mentoring program between old and new coalitions established

Napa Valley Fall Prevention Coalition n 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 Napa’s older adults

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

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

Goals and Objectives Significantly reduce falls resulting in injury among older adults in Napa County n Maintain optimal quality of life for seniors n Increase: n ¨ Knowledge ¨ Access ¨ Policies/Systems change

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

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

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