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South Dakota Department of Health
South Dakota Department of Health

EMS & Trauma Program

South Dakota Fall Prevention Coalition

Mission Statement

Cultivate collaboration to reduce falls by increasing knowledge and promoting the implementation of evidence-based fall prevention solutions for older adults.

Vision Statement

Older South Dakotans will have fewer falls and fall-related injuries, maximizing their independence and quality of life.

The South Dakota Fall Prevention Coalition was launched by Sanford Health and South Dakota State University Extension in 2019. It is a completely volunteer-run organization. Members include a wide range of healthcare and community stakeholders.

If you would like to participate in the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition, please send an email to PreventFallsSD@gmail.com.

Download the Toolkit

South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition Goals

South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition By-Laws

Awareness & Promotional Materials

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

What South Dakotans are saying about Evidence-Based Fall Prevention Programs.

“When I put on my jeans, I used to try to try to put my leg in, and I would have to go down, and then I would have to go down and then I would have to go down. And now I can just put that leg in and pull those jeans up. And now that probably sounds like nothing to someone else, but it was big for me.”

SAIL Participant

Experiencing a fall is a life-changing event. The Great Plains Quality Improvement website is home to personal stories of people who have fallen.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Leacey Brown, MS 
PreventFallsSD@gmail.com

Prevent Falls and Maximize Quality of Life for Older South Dakotans

The South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition is observing Falls Prevention Awareness Week. The week will be observed September 18-22, 2023, in conjunction with the National Council on Aging. The week is an opportunity to raise awareness about how to prevent falls among older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older Americans fall each year, and a single fall doubles the chance of falling again.

“Falls are devastating to individuals and families. When an individual experiences a fall, it has a domino effect on their quality of life,” explained Leacey Brown, MS, chair of the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition. “Beyond the challenges from recovering from the falls, older adults who have experienced a fall often develop a fear of falling again.”

In South Dakota, 37% of people are afraid of falling: a legitimate concern as the state rated third in the nation for most fatalities from falls. In 2021, The South Dakota State Department of Health reported accidental falls as the 6th leading cause of death. For Americans 65 and older the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported falls as the leading cause of fatal accidents and 3 million are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries each year. 

Having done the research, Brown recognized a need and gathered a group of community and healthcare stakeholders to form the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition.

“The efforts for the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition are to increase awareness among those at risk for falling and those who can identify and support someone with a higher risk for falling,” said Brown.

“People tend to believe falls are a normal part of getting older.” Leacey expanded. “Many have a misplaced belief that reducing their level of physical activity will prevent a fall. What we know is lack of physical activity increases the risk of a fall and contributes to a vicious cycle.”

Partners within the coalition are offering a variety of evidence-based fall prevention programs to assist older adults minimize their risk of falling. Classes like A Matter of Balance, Bingocize®, Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), and Walk with Ease focus on increased physical activity and confidence to reduce fall risk, while Fit & Strong! is intended for those managing the symptoms of arthritis to reduce joint pain through exercise. Typically offered as an in-person program, self-guided and virtual platforms have been developed to increase availability.  

With the help of healthcare providers, Brown considers fall prevention as the goal, “Individuals follow the recommendation of their healthcare provider.  By encouraging screening for fall risk and providing referrals to evidence-based fall prevention programs, we can intervene before the fall occurs.”

Those interested in joining or learning more about the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition are encouraged to reach out to PreventFallsSD@gmail.com.

NEWS POST

Reduce the Risk of a Life-Changing Fall

The darting pet, hallway rug, or late-night trip to the bathroom can quickly change from a nuisance to a life-changing fall experience. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older Americans fall each year, and a single fall doubles the chance of falling again. Falls Prevention Awareness Week, held September 18-22, 2023, is an opportunity to raise awareness about how to prevent falls among older adults.

“Falls are devastating to individuals and families. When an individual experiences a fall, it has a domino effect on their quality of life,” explained Leacey Brown, MS, chair of the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition. “Beyond the challenges from recovering from the falls, older adults who have experienced a fall often develop a fear of falling again.”

In South Dakota, 37% of people are afraid of falling: a legitimate concern as the state rated third in the nation for most fatalities from falls. In 2021, The South Dakota State Department of Health reported accidental falls as the 6th leading cause of death.  For Americans 65 and older the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported falls as the leading cause of fatal accidents and 3 million are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries each year.

“People tend to believe falls are a normal part of getting older.” Leacey expanded. “Many have a misplaced belief that reducing their level of physical activity will prevent a fall. What we know is lack of physical activity increases the risk of a fall and contributes to a vicious cycle.” 

South Dakotans have access to multiple programs proven to reduce falls by building strength, balance, and flexibility. Classes like A Matter of Balance, Bingocize®, and Walk with Ease focus on increased physical activity and confidence to reduce fall risk, while Fit & Strong! is intended for those managing the symptoms of arthritis to reduce joint pain through exercise.

“Our first effort in the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition is to increase awareness among those at risk for falling and those who can identify and support someone with a higher risk for falling,” said Brown of the group’s efforts. “Individuals follow the recommendations of their healthcare provider. By encouraging screening for fall risk and referrals to evidence-based fall prevention programs, we can intervene before the fall occurs.

In addition, the coalition developed a free SD Falls Prevention Toolkit as a resource for healthcare professionals to identify and support individuals at risk for a fall. Community or healthcare facilities interested in preventing falls are encouraged to access and distribute resources during Falls Prevention Awareness Week, and beyond. 

For more information or to join the coalition, contact Leacey Brown at PreventFallsSD@gmail.com.

NEWSLETTER EXCERPT

The South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition has asked us to join in Falls Prevention Awareness Week being held September 18-22, 2023.  This one-week observance is to bring national awareness to older adults and how to decrease their risk of falling. One in four older Americans falls each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, for Americans 65 and older falls are the leading cause of fatal accidents and responsible for emergency department visits for 3 million individuals.

“Falls are devastating to individuals and families. When an individual experiences a fall, it has a domino effect on their quality of life,” explained Leacey Brown, MS, chair of the South Dakota Falls Prevention Coalition. “Beyond the challenges from recovering from the falls, older adults who have experienced a fall often develop a fear of falling again.”

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

Governor's Proclamations

 2023  |  2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019

Additional Information & Resources

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

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

All evidence-based programs are offered by community members. If you are interested in leading workshops, please contact 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 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

Pathways to Preventing Falls Among Older Adults

Falls among older adults are the leading cause of preventable injury. Strategies are known to reduce the prevalence of falls among older adults. These strategies include referral pathways and evidence-based tools (programs and assessments). This webinar will describe existing efforts to reduce falls in the Dakotas. It will close with an exploratory discussion about opportunities to develop a referral pathway to increase the utilization of evidence-based tools and progress-monitoring tools. 

View the Webinar

Content last updated: March 19, 2024. For questions, contact: