Seniors' information and education

Although the provision of information alone is not sufficient to change falls risk behaviour, awareness raising is important. Whether information is used to educate seniors as part of an intervention program or a preventive health promotion activity, seniors need to know:

• Many falls can be prevented

• The specific risk factors or causes for falls

• There are a range of actions seniors can take to reduce their risk of falling, and

• Falls prevention strategies do more than prevent falls; they help maintain independence and wellbeing.

Service providers need to have access to a range of information and resources that can be provided to seniors to meet their various information needs. Information may be provided during education sessions, community displays or as part of your day-to-day work.

Providing information empowers seniors and their families and helps them establish relevance - if seniors recognise they are at risk, they may be more likely to make the changes that will help reduce their risk of falling.

Two categories of information have been provided in this section:

Resources to be used by service providers conducting education/information sessions with seniors

• Videos

• PowerPoint presentations, manuals, booklets, posters, innovative approaches

• Peer education

Resources for distribution to seniors (eg booklets, brochures etc)

• Booklets

• Brochures, posters etc

• Self assessment checklists

• Environmental checklists

• Information about specific falls prevention topics

• Other information for seniors