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District of Columbia

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DC Falls Free Coalition

History of the DC Falls Prevention Coalition:
The Coalition had preliminary meetings in the spring of 2011, but the larger group coalesced August 2011.

Organizations that took the lead in developing the DC Falls Prevention Coalition: 
Tori Goldhammer and Anne Morris as individual occupational therapists began the group.

Goals and objectives of the DC Falls Prevention Coalition: 
Advocate for programming and legislative changes to help the older adults of the District remain safe and falls free in their homes.

Outcomes being monitored:
Our goal is to monitor admissions to the hospital following a fall however it has been a challenge to date to find this data.  DC is supposed to have a trauma registry with this information but it has not been created to date. 

All funding sources for the DC Falls Prevention Coalition:
No funding sources to date.

Organizations that are playing a key role in the DC Falls Prevention Coalition:
Capitol Hill Village, Dupont Circle Village, Seabury Resources for Aging and Emmaus Services for the Aging.  Individuals include Anne Morris, OT, instructor Howard University; Tori Goldhammer, OT, owner of Living at Home Consultations, Jan Kress, Chair OT dept Trinty Washington University and Kathy Cameron, Consultant Pharmacist.

Leadership structure and function of the DC Falls Prevention Coalition:
No specific leadership roles defined to date.  Tori Goldhammer functions as secretary and coordinator. 

DC Falls Prevention Coalition committees:
No committees to date.

Regional/county/local coalitions or workgroups you support/provide technical assistance:
Support received from the NCOA office.  Advice received from the Northern Virginia Falls Free Coalition.

2-3 challenges encountered: 
1. Getting fall data from local hospitals and DC Dept of Public Health
2. Funding to train enough MOB master trainers to meet demand for the program.

2-3 successes to share:
1. Participation in 8 senior centers throughout the city for Fall Prevention Awareness Day 2011.
2. Donations received from AliMed, North Coast Medical and AARP for FPAD 2011.
3. DC Proclamation for FPAD 2011 signed by Mayor Gray.

Primary contact:
Tori Goldhammer, OTR/L   tori@lahconsultations.com   202-321-8173

want to live in a country where

older adults don't have to choose between paying for medicine or food.