Falls and falls prevention > Provide information and learning opportunities

Provide information and learning opportunities

Some important messages to share with your members are:

• Falls are usually caused by a combination of factors. By changing some of these factors, they can lower their chances of falling.
• Most falls are preventable.
• Information and support are available to help prevent falls at home, at your centre and in your neighbourhood.

Here are a few suggestions to get started:

Information handouts
Handouts help to reinforce ideas and information that people have already heard, discussed or seen.

By themselves handouts do not move people to action. However, in combination with other strategies they can increase awareness and shift thinking.

Several handouts to share with your members are found in Resources: Handouts, including:

• Handout 1 - A guide to preventing falls
• Handout 2 - Test your knowledge about falls

A display of assistive devices
Provide your members with a chance to see assistive devices and practise using them.

Contact local retailers or manufacturers of canes to display various models of canes, ice picks to put on canes, or "grippers" to put on boots for winter walking.

Invite a supplier or renovator to do a display of bathroom aids such as grab bars.

Discussion groups
Have members share success stories, problem-solve difficulties or challenges they experience in making changes, and learn from each other's experiences.

Ask people to respond to a short quiz. A quiz can get people talking as well as help them to identify areas where they could use more information. See Resources: Handout 2 - Test your knowledge about falls.

Posters
Share information in small bites on posters. They should have practical information and be updated on a regular basis - once a week or once a month. See Resources: Program Tool 11 and Program Tool 12 for sample posters.

Draw attention to a different "hazard" each week (or month). You may want to reinforce the message in several ways. One way may be to set aside 15 minutes after lunch for people to share information on strategies they have used to deal with this hazard. For example, if the hazard is a slippery bathtub, people who have installed grab bars could talk about their experience. Someone could develop a list with specific information on cost, places to purchase grab bars, and how to get them installed.

Post telephone numbers where members can get more information.

Bulletin boards
Bulletin boards offer "bite size" pieces of information. Use your bulletin board to highlight special falls prevention messages or events.

Have a space to recognize what members are doing to prevent falls. For example, you could put up pictures of members doing various falls prevention activities.

Newsletters
Newsletters provide an opportunity to repeat messages about falls prevention and active living. Insert ideas on falls and falls prevention on a monthly basis.

Previous:

What your organization can do

Next:

Offer programs and activities