Prevent Falls Stanislaus

Falls are not an inevitable part of the aging process. You can take action and prevent falls!  Healthy Aging Association has been a source for Fall Prevention materials for nearly 2 decades. We advocate for fall prevention resources for our community to help older adults live longer, more independent lives. 
This page is intended to provide you with resources to assist you in preventing falls. Please scroll through for 10 ways to prevent falls today.

10 Steps to Prevent Falls

1) Do an In-Home Environmental Assessment
Use a home safety checklist to assess your home environment and reduce fall risks. Some ways to make your home safer include:
  • Installing Grab Bars and Handrails in your bathroom
  • Adding in Fall Prevention Accessories like a shower chair, bath bench, or a toilet seat riser
  • Or by taking simple measures, like removing clutter from stairs and walkways.
Download your very own Home Safety Checklist today today (updated 2023)

Dignity at Home - Fall Prevention Program

Healthy Aging Association has been collaborating with the Stanislaus Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to provide a program called Dignity At Home Fall Prevention since August 1, 2020.
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The Dignity At Home program provides in-home environmental assessments, fall prevention education, and injury prevention accessories to qualifying individuals 60 and older or persons with disabilities who are at risk of falling in Stanislaus County.

Dignity At Home Program Guidelines: 
  1. Be at least 60 years of age or disabled
  2. At a risk of falling or have had a fall​​
What the program involves:
  • Phone interview to qualify.
  • In-home environmental assessment.
  • Education and information on fall prevention.
  • If recommended, installation of injury prevention accessories.
Potential Injury Prevention Accessories: bath bench, hand-held shower head, non-slip bath mat, shower chair, bedside pole, commode rails, grab bars, stair railings, and a home safety assessment.

Click here for the program brochure (updated 2023)

To get this process started for the Dignity at Home Program, contact the Senior Information Line at (209)558-8698.
2) Join an evidence based Fall Prevention Program
Join a program that has been shown to reduce the risk and number of falls. These two national programs available in our county are specialized for older adults 60 and older. View below for more information on A Matter of Balance and Stepping On.

A Matter of Balance
This evidence based program that is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity level of older adults who have concerns about falling. The program consists of eight 2-hour sessions with small in-person group discussion. ​​
  • Class participants will learn to view falls as controllable, be able to set goals for increasing activity and find ways  to change their environment to reduce fall risk factors.
  • This program is designed for older adults who are concerned about falls, have had a fall, and maybe have restricted activities because of concerns about falling.
  • These classes are typically taught in a small in-person group setting. New starting in 2021, classes will be offered in a virtual format, from the comfort of your own home.
  • Contact Healthy Aging Association at (209)525-4670 for more information and on class availability. Sessions typically run in the Spring and Fall.
Check out participant testimonies from community members who live right here in Stanislaus County by clicking here.
3) Join an Exercise Program that builds strength and balance
Engagement in physical activity is essential component of fall prevention. Activities such as walking and gentle exercises reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Here are a few options for you.

Young at Heart Strength Training 
These practice-tested classes that have been shown to reduce the risk of falling are offered to older adults and/or individuals with disabilities. Healthy Aging Association offers community based classes through-out Stanislaus County (currently on hold due to COVID-19) and now available online, via Zoom. For more information or to join the classes visit our Young at Heart page, call Healthy Aging Association at (209)525-4670 or email healthy.aging2000@gmail.com.
  • Online classes currently are held on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
    • Call (209) 525-4670 to register for an online class.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention 
Try this effective exercise program for preventing falls. Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention works through improving balance, confidence and muscular strength. For more information or to join the class, contact Healthy Aging Association at (209)525-4670.
  • Call (209) 525-4670 to find a class location near you.

​Young at Heart S.T.E.P.S. (Seniors Tracking Exercise in Perfect Strides)
Maybe you are not ready to get started in an exercise program. Join our 12-week walking challenge where you can walk in your neighborhood, local park or at a S.T.E.P.S. Safe Walking Route (Modesto, Patterson, and Ceres). 
  • August - October
  • February - May
4) Have an updated "File of Life" on your refrigerator
This life saving tool helps emergency first responders to have access to your medical information when they enter your home in case of an emergency. Call Stanislaus Aging and Veterans Services at (209) 558-8698 to receive a File of Life.
5) Make sure you have adequate lighting through-out your home
Having a clear path at the entry of your home, at the top and bottom of stairs and from your bed to your bathroom is very helpful in reducing falls as many falls occur in the home. 
  • Add in night lights to have continuous light in pathways walked at night.
  • Have a flashlight near your bed in case there is a power outage.
6) Grab a copy of the most current Fall Prevention Resource Guide
Finding resources that are available just for your county can be challenging and could cause you to play phone tag with many different organizations which could lead to frustration. We have made it easy for those who live in Stanislaus County. We have a guide that is specifically designed with the programs and services available in our County. All though this is not a complete list it is a great start, the guide contains information in; physical activity, medication management, in-home care and services, transportation and much more.
7) Wear adequate and supportive shoes
Footwear is very important. We recommend wearing shoes that do not have a heal, have a good sole that is not worn, and that secures the ankle. This recommendation also includes those house and/or garden shoes. 
  • Upgrade your house-slippers and slip on sandals to a shoe that are sturdy and can't cause you to fall.
  • Shoes that do not wrap around the ankle could be caught on a surface below you and slip off and change the surface below your feet thus causing you to fall.
8) Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications
Did you know the more medications you take, the greater your chance of falling? Many medications interact with one another and sometimes is not caught when prescribed. Take your list of medications to your pharmacist and ask them to review and see if any of the medications can cause dizziness, loss of balance, or any other side effects.
9) Have your vision and hearing checked regularly
Our body is changing constantly and that also means your vision and hearing are also changing. It is recommended to have your vision and hearing checked each year. Some reasons to have these checked annually include:
  • Correct prescription in your glasses or contacts. This will make sure you are safe in and outside your house.
  • Maybe you didn't notice that your hearing has changed. Your doctor will tell you if it has changed and if it is time to invest in hearing-aids or time for a new pair of hearing aids. We want to make sure you can hear well when crossing the street, when having a conversation with friends and family and for your overall safety.
10) Use Reliable Sources
The list above is not a full list of ways to prevent falls. It is always important to do your own research as well. We have listed top sites with reliable and useful information for Falls Prevention information and data related to Falls.

Wellness Wednesdays
Join us for Wellness Wednesdays which will happen once a month. There will be different topics each month relating to fall prevention. 
  • If you are interested in joining please email us at healthy.aging2000@gmail.com or call our office at (209)525-4670 and we will send you the Zoom link the day before!

Wellness Wednesday Recordings from 2022:
1. Fall Prevention Tips for the New Year*
2. Safe Proofing Your Home
3. Physical Activities
4. Actions to Take After Falling
5. Shower & Bathroom Safety
6. Conditions That Make You More Likely to Fall*
7. Tips to Reduce Fears of Falling
8. Ways to Stay Mobile*
​9. Assertiveness & Fall Prevention
​10. Assistive Devices

Wellness Wednesday Recordings from 2021:
  1. Medications and Fall Prevention*​
  2. Exercise and Fall Prevention
  3. Vision, Hearing and Fall Prevention*
  4. Home Safety
  5. Assistive Devices​

*includes guest professional, Dr. Bob McGrew, M.D.