From Awareness to Action : Fall Prevention in Practice

Falls represent a public health and economic risk for older adults, serving as the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries nationally and within Delaware. This article describes the efforts of a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts from area health care systems and academic institutions. This team implemented an evidence-based community screening and education strategy with the goal of identifying individuals at risk for falls and recommending interventions to reduce the risk. Faculty-guided students collaborated with nurses from different health systems to provide free clinics in all counties, using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) tool. Participants rotated through assessment stations, including balance, vision and orthostatic blood pressure checks, followed by individualized education, medication reviews, and follow-up resources. The initiative has expanded significantly, growing from 48 screenings in 2024 to 120 in 2025, with anticipated growth in 2026. This low-cost, community-based effort demonstrates strong sustainability through community partnerships and newly secured grant funding. These community-based clinics could bridge health care access gaps and potentially reduce medical costs, prevent injuries, and promote independence among older adults.