Fall Prevention Coalition

The National Council of Aging has created a toolkit that can be used to promote Fall Prevention Awareness Week in September. Items included in this toolkit include social media materials, press releases, printable materials, and more. Visit the National Council on Aging website to download the toolkit. 

Download the Awareness Week Toolkit

Download the South Dakota Toolkit

Most falls are preventable

Start with these six easy steps to help reduce your risk:

1. Find a balance or exercise program
2. Talk to your doctor
3. Review medications
4. Get your vision and hearing checked yearly
5. Keep your home safe
6. Talk to your family 

View the Video

La mayoría de las caídas se pueden prevenir.

Comience con estos seis sencillos pasos para ayudar a reducir su riesgo: 

1. Encuentra un equilibrio o un programa de ejercicios
2. Hable con su médico
3. Revisar medicamentos
4. Hágase revisar la vista y la audición anualmente
5. Mantén tu casa Segura
6. Habla con tu familia

Ver el Video

Download Videos for Social Media

Flyers & Posters

• Flyers that can be shared at church or distributed through meal delivery programs.

• Signage that medical providers can post in their clinic to encourage anyone who has fallen to report their fall to their doctor.

Presentations

• Community education is an important focus for the coalition.  Feel free to use this presentation at events within your community. 
• Steps to Safety™ Prevent Fire and Falls at Home program pairs fire and EMS professionals with community partners to educate older adults about home fire and fall safety
• Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Falls in Older Adults was a featured topic during the 2024 Falls Prevention Awareness Week. Watch the video to learn more about how you can use motivational interviewing to reduce falls. 
• Staying Upright: Fall Prevention, Physical Therapy, and Resources for Parkinson’s Disease in South Dakota was a featured topic during the 2025 Falls Prevention Awareness Week. Watch the video to learn more about the role physical therapy and community resources play in managing fall risk. 

Governor's Proclamations

2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019

Sanford Health Fall Prevention

Sanford Health offers a variety of evidence-based fall prevention programs that providers can refer at-risk patients to. These classes are free. Classes are available for varying levels of physical ability, locations may vary. Call Sanford Health at 605-333-4440 to learn more.

Programs offered by Sanford Health

•  A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls
• CAPABLE
• "SAIL" Stay Active & Independent for Life
• BINGOCIZE^®

SDSU Extension Fall Prevention

South Dakota State University Extension offers a variety of evidence-based programs for fall prevention and chronic disease self-management that providers can refer at-risk patients to. These classes are free. To learn about workshops in your community, please call 1-888-484-3800.

Programs offered by SDSU Extension

• Walk With Ease
• Better Choices, Better Health^® SD

Community members offer all evidence-based programs. If you are interested in leading workshops, please get in touch with either Sanford Health or SDSU Extension.

Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI)

Healthcare providers can use CDC’s STEADI initiative to help reduce fall risk among older patients. Discover resources to help you integrate fall prevention into routine clinical practice.

View STEADI Resources

AGS Beers Criteria®

The AGS Beers Criteria^® includes lists of certain medications worth discussing with health professionals because they may not be the safest or most appropriate options for older adults. 

Visit the Geriatrics Healthcare Professionals Website

Deprescribing

Deprescribing is a website to share and exchange information about approaches to reduce the number of medications older adults are prescribed.

Visit the Deprescribing Website

Screening

Screening older adults for their fall risk is the first step you can take to prevent a fall.

View the Screening Checklist

Falls are not a natural part of aging. Even if you’re healthy or have talked with your healthcare provider, it’s important to check your risk. There are many steps you can take to prevent a fall. Answer 13 simple questions to get a fall risk score and resources to prevent falls.

NCOA Falls Free Check-up

Stand Strong: Fall Prevention Programs

• Matter of Balance and Bingocize classes are led by trained lay leaders. What does this mean? You do not have to be a healthcare provider to receive the Coach's training.

• What do you need to be a coach?

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills

  • Enthusiasm, dependability, and a willingness to lead small groups of older adults (8-12 people)

  • Ability to lead low to moderate-level exercise

• SAIL Leader training is available to fitness, exercise science, or healthcare professionals

• Call 605-339-7295 to learn more and find out about upcoming classes.

• Cost – FREE!

Fit & Strong! workshops are led by instructors trained by SDSU Extension Fit & Strong! Master Trainers. The training includes a 5-hour self-paced online course and a 4-hour Zoom training. Contact Whitney Reetz to learn more about becoming an instructor by calling 605-882-5140 or emailing her at whitney.reetz@sdstate.edu. 

Removing Stumbling Blocks to Prevent Falls

A simple stumble or slip can result in a serious injury or even death. Individuals 65 and older are at a higher risk for injury from a fall, which most often happens at home or at a residential care facility. Encouraging participation in evidence-based programs can help prevent a fall by increasing balance and strength, while also improving quality of life. 

View the Webinar

Back to Basics: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Fall Reduction

One in four Americans 65 and older report a fall each year. Hospital systems are taking steps to address falls in the communities they serve. On September 22nd, 2023, at noon CT, Laura Holland, CNA, and Christina Zweber, MSN, RN described the evolution of a multidisciplinary Mobility Committee at Monument and statewide resources available for professionals interested in fall prevention among older adults.

View the Webinar

1. AARP South Dakota
2. Active Generations
3. American Physical Therapy Association - South Dakota Chapter
4. Avera McKennan Hospital
5. Avera St. Luke's Hospital Aberdeen
6. Countryside Living
7. Faulkton Area Medical Center
8. For Life Physical Therapy
9. FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers
10. Good Samaritan Society
11. Goodcare AtHome Rehab
12. Goodcare, LLC
13. Great Plains Quality Innovation Network
14. Health Connect of South Dakota
15. Kore Cares
16. Life Physical Therapy
17. Madison Regional Health Systems
18. Menno-Olivet Care Center
19. Monument Health
20. Rapid City Fire Department
21. Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center
22. Sanford USD Medical Center
23. Senior Companions of South Dakota
24. South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations
25. South Dakota Chiropractors Association
26. South Dakota Department of Health
27. South Dakota Department of Human Services
28. South Dakota Emergency Nurses Association
29. South Dakota Fire and Life Safety Committee
30. South Dakota Occupational Therapy Association
31. South Dakota State University Extension
32. South Dakota Health Care Association
33. United Living Community