Role of CDA Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs in Fall Prevention Efforts Lora Connolly, CA Department of Aging April 14, 2008

Contributing Fall Factors Balance problems Lack of exercise Poor nutrition Medication side effects Vision problems Environmental hazards Fear of falling leads to more falls

Compelling Fall Statistics More than 13, 700 people over age 65 die each year from fall related injuries (30%-40% were preventable) Leading cause of senior injury deaths After a fall, 40% of seniors remain dependent on care from others

Chronic Diseases Contribute to Increased Fall Risk Arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson's, various cardiovascular conditions, vision loss, MS, and many other chronic conditions increase the risk of falling. Medications taken for these & other health conditions can also contribute to fall risks.

Nexus with Californias Evidence Based Health Promotion Federal Grant Administration on Aging releases competitive grants to states to implement the Evidence Based Health Promotion Programs in in home & community settings 2006California submits & receives AoA grant ($300,000 to be used over 3 years)

AoA Grant Requirements Required partnership between state aging and health departments (only they could apply) Required Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) & could include other evidence based programs Must involve the Older Americans Act infrastructure, including Area Agencies on Aging

California Older Adult Evident Based Health Promotion Program CDA is the lead agency in partnership with CA Department of Public Health 5 initial counties & respective Area Agencies on Aging participating (Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, San Diego & Sonoma) Partners in Care Foundation, already implementing two AoA evidence based programs serving frail seniors, acting as project coordinator Goal that seniors at all levels of disability including the very frail would be served. Would be offered in English and Spanish.

Participating CA Counties Original CountyNew County

Programs Being Implemented Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management in LA, Orange, and soon in SD, Sacramento, San Bernardino counties; Matter of Balance in LA, SD, Sonoma and other counties Healthy Moves & Medication Management in LA, Fresno/Madera, soon in Kern counties

Atlantic Philanthropies Grant CA was just awarded additional $300,000 to be used over next 3 years Expand & develop sustainability of the Chronic Disease Self Management Program Strategy relies on building an infrastructure that involving community colleges older adult courses; CA Association of Physician Groups, and county public health departments.

Ultimate Goals Develop an infrastructure/platform for disseminating a variety of evidence based health promotion interventions Leverage the shared resources of CDA and CDPH Establish strong regional partnerships invested in these programs to continue these programs after grant funding ends

CA Grant Overview Initial Participating Counties