This program is based on recommendations included in Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan developed as a result of a two-day Falls Free Summit (December 8-9, 2004). This summit was the cumulative work of 57 diverse national organizations assembled to discuss issues related to falls among older adults and to provide strategic input into the development of a National Action Plan.

Through awareness, education, training, and research proven interventions, F1RST seeks to engage older adults, their children, and caregivers in an effort to reduce the trauma and injuries caused by falling. We do this by collaborating with many organizations in our community.

F1RST is being developed through the assistance of a Community-Wide Advisory Committee representing all aspects of fall prevention. This group is coordinated by Leadership Committee which includes:

Dr. David Corbin,  University of Nebraska at Omaha, Chair

Bev Griffith, Eastern Nebraska Office On Aging

Kay Farrell, National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter

Anthony Harris, United Way of the Midlands

Adi Pour,  Douglas County Health Department

Theresa Martinez, Sarpy - Cass Department of Health & Wellness

Jeff Kuhr,  Three Rivers Health Department

Don Dierks, Council Bluffs Health Department

BevVan Phillips, Home Access Solutions, Chair for Home Modification Task Group

James Summerfelt, Visiting Nurse Association, Chair for Medication Management Task Group

Paul Mullen, MAPA, Chair for Enviromental Safety Task Group

Pat Davis, MAPA, Co-Chair for Enviromental Safety Task Group

Dianne Kelly, Sarpy/Cass County Health Department

Dr. Britt Thedinger, Chair for Cross-cutting Issues Task Group

Shandalee Ramet, NCS/GOC, Co-chair for Physical Activity and Mobility Task Group 

Robert Prucha, MPA

F1RST is pleased to senior serving agencies, organizations, communities of faith and business to join in this important partnership. During the next twelve months our plans are to continue implementation of physical mobility and activity programs, develop a home safety and modification task group, a medications management task group with a strategically planned consumer education campaign to increase awareness of falls risks associated with medication. Plans call for the increased distribution of Fall Prevention tool kits, and full deployment of www.f1rst.org.

In addition, we are looking for volunteers who would receive training to help us in tackling this problem. Training is available so you can help us to:

• Help perform home safety inspections and look for hazards that cause falls for older adults in our community.
• Learn how you can help older adults identify potential hazards that threaten their safety and increase fall risks.
• Utilize services and programs offered by F1RST.
• Utilize training opportunities in fall prevention interventions.
• Utilize the Fall Prevention Tool-Kit offered by F1RST. 

Contact F1RST to get involved.

Recognizing that falls prevention requires integrated assessment and management of the full range of causative factors, F1RST is organized around four primary factors to increase safety.

PROTECTIVE FACTOR 1: INCREASE PHYSICAL MOBILITY AND ACTIVITY

All older adults will have knowledge of, and access to, effective programs and services that preserve or improve their physical mobility and lower the risk of falls. Health care and other service providers will be more aware of, and actively promote, strategies and community resources / programs designed to improve older adult physical mobility and lower the risk of falls.

PROTECTIVE FACTOR 2: MEDICAL ISSUES AND MEDICATIONS MANAGEMENT

All older adults will become aware that falling is a common adverse effect of some prescription / nonprescription medications and discuss this with their health care providers.

Health care providers will be aware that falling is a common adverse effect of some prescription and nonprescription medications, and therefore will adopt a standard of care that balances the benefits and harms of older adult medication use.

PROTECTIVE FACTOR 3: INCREASE HOME SAFETY

All older adults will have knowledge of and access to home safety measures (including information, assessments and home modification) that reduce home hazards, improve independent functioning, and lower the risk of falls.

Health care, housing, and other service providers will become more aware of, and promote, home safety measures that reduce home hazards, improve independent functioning, and lower the risk of falls.

PROTECTIVE FACTOR 4: INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY

All older adults will have access to community environments that lower the risk of falls, and facilitate full participation, mobility, and independent functioning.

Public officials such as community and transportation planners, community service providers, and those responsible for maintenance and repairs, will be aware of, and actively promote, community environments that lower the risk of falls.

SUMMARY

It is clear that effective falls prevention initiatives will require the collaborative efforts of many organizations. F1RST is both a call to action and a guide for implementing an effective coordinated approach to reducing injurious and fatal falls among older adults. The strategies put forth represent the best thinking of leading experts across diverse fields of influence.

These strategies have been identified as ones that can be initiated within an eighteen month time-frame. In some cases, actual implementation will require an extended time period and significant commitment of resources. When implemented, these strategies can build community awareness and support, and serve as a foundation for longer term strategies. More importantly, the impact of these strategies will insure that older adults will have fewer falls and fall-related injuries, maximizing their independence and quality of life.

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