Falling is not a normal part of aging. You can prevent falls by doing the right exercises, making your home safer, getting regular health checkups, and more!
Sept. 22-26, 2025 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Week! The week is a nationwide observance with state coalitions and partners to raise awareness on preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fear of falling.
Check out the tools, classes and links below to learn more about Falls Prevention!
Take a Falls Free Check Up
Falls are not a natural part of aging. Even if you’re healthy or have talked with your health care 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 your falls risk score and resources to prevent falls.
Take A Matter of Balance class
These 8-week evidence-based classes are designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants will learn how to view falls as controllable; set goals for increasing activity; make changes to reduce fall risks at home; and exercise to increase strength and balance.
1-3 p.m.
Tuesdays, Oct. 7 through Dec. 2, 2025 (No class on Veterans Day)
Area Agency on Aging, 2900 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph
Become A Matter of Balance Volunteer Coach. Chances are you know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling. Region IV Area Agency on Aging is looking for volunteers to help provide this program. What do you need to be a coach?
- Ability to lead low to moderate level exercise
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Enthusiasm, dependability and a willingness to lead small groups of older adults
- Contact: Julie Schwarz at (269) 982-7759 or julieschwarz@areaagencyonaging.org.
- Details: Volunteers do not have to be physical therapist or trained professional.
- Training materials are provided. Volunteers are reimbursed for travel and paid a small stipend.
Call our Information & Assistance team to learn about things like grab bars, fall buttons and other assistive devices. Reach out by calling the Info-Line for Aging & Disability: 800-654-2810.
From the Generations Column Archives