Falls Prevention Awareness Month is a national observance that encourages older adults, families, caregivers, healthcare providers, organizations, and communities to take action to reduce the risk of falls and support healthy aging. Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, but many falls can be prevented.
Throughout September, ACL and organizations across the country raise awareness about practical prevention strategies and evidence-based programs that help older adults maintain their health, independence, and well-being.
Get involved
Organizations:
- Share falls prevention information and resources.
- Promote local falls prevention programs, classes, workshops, and events.
- Use ACL's toolkit resources in your outreach.
- Engage on social media using #FallsPrevention.
Older adults and caregivers:
- Learn about practical steps to reduce fall risk.
- Explore evidence-based falls prevention programs available in your community.
- Talk to a healthcare provider about your personal risk factors.
- Share fall prevention information with family and friends.
Toolkit
- Falls Prevention Awareness Month logo
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- Social media graphics
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Download the high-resolution graphics collections (.zip)
- Sample social media posts
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The following sample posts are drafted for Facebook and LinkedIn. Organizations may adapt them to meet their needs, including shortening posts for platforms with character-count limitations.Use #FallsPrevention to help amplify your posts. Customizing these posts to make them more locally relevant by adding hashtags that reflect your organization and community may also help you reach more people. Examples include:
- Your organization type (e.g., #SeniorCenter, #AgingServices)
- Location (i.e., neighborhood, city, county, or state)
- Falls prevention program offered by your organization or a partner (e.g., #TaiChi, #SteppingON)
- Your organization’s hashtag
- A local partner or organization involved in falls prevention
- A relevant aging or health hashtag (e.g., #HealthyAging, #OlderAdults)
- A local event or activity
Posts
- September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month! Many falls can be prevented, and small steps can make a big difference. Join us as we share practical tips, programs, and resources to help older adults reduce their risk of falls and continue doing the things they enjoy.
- Everyone can help prevent falls. Whether you're an older adult, caregiver, family member, healthcare provider, or community organization, you can help raise awareness and encourage others to take steps to reduce the risk of falls. Share how you're participating using #FallsPrevention.
- Many falls can be prevented. This Falls Prevention Awareness Month, take one step toward reducing your risk: stay physically active, talk with your healthcare provider about your fall risk, make your home safer, or learn about local falls prevention programs. Every step counts.
- Staying physically active can improve strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility — all of which can help reduce your risk of falling. Talk with your healthcare provider about activities that are right for you.
- Your risk of falling can be affected by many factors, including certain medications, changes in vision, and some health conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors and ways to reduce them.
- Simple changes at home can help prevent falls. Improve lighting, remove tripping hazards, install grab bars where needed, and keep frequently used items within easy reach. Small changes today can make a big difference tomorrow.
- Evidence-based falls prevention programs help older adults build strength, balance, mobility, and confidence while learning practical strategies to reduce fall risk. Ask us about programs available in our community.
- Looking for falls prevention programs or other services for older adults? Use the @Administration for Community Living's @Eldercare Locator to find trusted resources in your area. Visit eldercare.acl.gov or call 800-677-1116.
- Supporting falls prevention can start with a conversation. Encourage the older adults in your life to stay physically active, talk with their healthcare provider about fall risk, and learn about local programs and resources that can help them stay healthy, active, and independent.
- Sample article
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Falls Are Preventable: Take Action to Reduce Your RiskSmall changes can make a big difference in helping you stay healthy, active, and independent as you age.
During Falls Prevention Awareness Month, we’re sharing practical falls prevention tips and connecting older adults, families, and caregivers with local programs and community resources.
Here are some simple ways to reduce your risk of falling:
- Stay physically active. Activities that improve strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility can help reduce fall risk.
- Talk with your healthcare provider. Review your risk factors, including medication side effects, and discuss steps to reduce your risk of falling.
- Have your vision checked regularly. Seeing well can help prevent falls.
- Make your home safer. Remove tripping hazards, improve lighting, and make other changes to prevent falls.
- Find a falls prevention program near you. Evidence-based programs provide practical skills that can help you stay healthy, active, and independent.
- Need help getting started? Use the Eldercare Locator to find falls prevention programs and other services available where you live.
This month and throughout the year, [insert your organization name] encourages you to take steps to reduce fall risk and learn about resources available in our community that can help you remain healthy and independent.
[Insert information about local falls prevention programs, classes, workshops, health fairs, screenings, events, or other community resources.]
To learn more about Falls Prevention Awareness Month, visit acl.gov/falls-prevention-month.