Expanding access to evidence-based falls prevention programming requires innovation, flexibility, and strong community connections. While health care providers are natural allies in delivering health promotion programs, many organizations are finding success by thinking beyond traditional partners. 

Engaging with other organizations can unlock new opportunities to reach diverse participants in welcoming, familiar environments. The National Council on Aging’s 2023 Falls Prevention Awareness Week Impact Report found that state falls prevention coalitions found success partnering with:

• Local senior centers
• Area agencies on aging
• State and local health departments
• Pharmacies
• Parks departments
• National associations
• Centers for independent living
• Senior housing and villages

This approach centers programming in the everyday lives of older adults, making it more accessible and less intimidating. For those implementing evidence-based falls prevention programs, forming these partnerships is not just important to successful implementation. It is often a key to long-term sustainability.

Building effective community partnerships

Partnering with community organizations that older adults already know and trust can increase visibility and participation in falls prevention programs. Libraries, for example, serve as modern community hubs, often hosting a range of educational and wellness programming.

Sia Beasley, the Falls Prevention Manager with Appalachian State University (a 2022 ACL Falls Prevention grantee), shared that their programs reached a broader population by leveraging their local libraries’ roles as welcoming community spaces. Many older adults felt more comfortable attending a class at the library than at a senior center, especially those who did not identify with the 'senior' label. They found these venues best for reducing stigma and improving convenience.

Faith-based organizations also offer a powerful chance for program delivery. Identifying a respected member of the congregation—whether a parish nurse, church administrator, or active volunteer—as a program 'champion' can significantly boost trust and buy-in from the community. These champions can advocate for programs, coordinate logistics, and encourage participation in ways that external staff often cannot. Sara Pappa, Assistant Professor at Marymount University (a 2023 ACL Falls Prevention grantee), emphasized the importance of finding a passionate, trusted individual within the faith community to champion the program and help build credibility over time. 

Using the& appropriate approach to building partnerships is essential. NCOA’s "Empowering Change: Promoting and Expanding Evidence-Based Programs in Rural Communities" toolkit emphasizes the importance of learning about the community you are seeking to serve—their shared culture and history. This will allow program providers to build trust more quickly by showing genuine interest in the members of the community.  

These relationships take time and persistence to build, and start with shared goals and values. Look for areas where your work overlaps and your missions align. These can be used to strategically approach new partners and to ensure working together is beneficial for everyone.

Engaging these unique partners in the way they wish to be engaged and leaning on their existing skills and infrastructure is critical to building effective partnerships. Do they have a large social media presence, mailing list, or announcement board where they would be willing to share your materials? A partner may not be able to offer classes on site but could be willing to support your programs in other ways. Responding to surveys for NCOA’s Rural Toolkit and 2023 Falls Prevention Awareness Week Impact Report, grantees reported many unique partnership opportunities:

• Service organizations may refer their clients and community members to your programs.
• Local high schools may have shop classes where they could build grab bars and ramps for home modification programs.
• Local newspapers may be willing to provide free promotion of your programs.
• Fire departments and EMS may refer older adults who have experienced a fall to your programming.
• Health information exchanges can support program evaluation and show your program’s return on investment.
• University students in specific programs, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, can serve as interns supporting your programs.
• Parks & Recreation departments can& be advertising partners and can host programming within their facilities

Involving each partner uniquely in a way that fits their capacity and interest is essential to building trust and long-term partnerships.

Consistency and honesty are also key to building and maintaining trust once it is built. Communication should be ongoing and transparent, so that partners do not feel as though they have been used to meet a specific goal and then set aside. Share regular program updates, check in with partners between regular meetings or classes, and follow up with answers to any questions they may ask. Importantly, never make a promise to a partner that you are unsure you will be able to keep, because once trust is broken, it is difficult to rebuild. 

Supporting partners and reducing burden

When working with non-health-care partners, especially those with limited staff, it's essential to keep the process as simple and streamlined as possible. Program staff should be prepared to handle most administrative responsibilities, from creating promotional materials to managing registrations and bringing all necessary supplies.

Listening to the partner’s needs is critical. If a library prefers mid-morning classes on Tuesdays, or a congregation only has space available on weekends, it’s important to do your best to accommodate those preferences.

Sia Beasley emphasized taking on as much of the administrative load as possible to reduce staff burden and improve the sustainability of the partnership. She also emphasized the importance of preparing a partner organization properly before handing over the responsibility for leading falls prevention programs. After her team successfully recruits a new partner organization, they often host a free demonstration event on site, ideally with giveaways or a guest speaker, to introduce the community to the program. Their trained staff will deliver a full class series at the new site and then train future program leaders. Finally, they offer ongoing support for successful implementation to ensure the partner never feels abandoned or overwhelmed. 

The role of champions and local leaders

Whether in a faith-based group, library, or another setting, finding a champion - someone from the community who promotes, supports, and sustains your programming – is essential. They are invaluable in navigating internal structures, recruiting participants, and helping your program feel less like an external service and more like a community asset.

Champions often emerge organically—participants who become passionate about the content or staff who see the value and want to get involved.

Partnerships are key to long-term success

For program staff working to expand the reach and impact of falls prevention initiatives, building non-health-care partnerships is a practical and powerful strategy. Whether through a church’s health ministry, a local library’s adult education calendar, or a senior center’s event series, these collaborations help embed programming into the heart of the community. By following a respectful and flexible approach, falls prevention programs become embraced by those they aim to serve, and gain long-term sustainability.

Sources

1. NCOA. Falls Prevention Awareness Week: 2023 Impact Report. Found on the internet at https://www.ncoa.org/article/falls-prevention-awareness-week-impact-reports/  

2. NCOA. Empowering Change: Promoting and Expanding Evidence-Based Programs in Rural Communities. Found on the internet at  https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-to-promote-and-expand-evidence-based-programs-in-rural-communities/  

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $2,5000,000 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.