Fall Prevention Awareness Month – September
Falling is not a normal part of aging. DHSS is committed to empowering all aging Missourians to reduce their risk of falls, which are one of the greatest causes of serious injuries and death among people over age 65. In September 2025, DHSS is partnering with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to mark Falls Prevention Awareness Month.
Missouri’s Fall Prevention Coalition
You can join Missouri’s Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention Coalition here: https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Jw3Zh0uoiMmPtj. This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 am.
Resources to Prevent Falls
Balance and Strength Exercises Video: This 26-minute video is a collaboration between DHSS and Capital Region Medical Center. It includes demonstrations of balance and strength exercises for fall prevention. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83JUzG_VVc0)
Falls Free Check Up: This online fall screener was created by the National Council on Aging. It is a great tool to determine fall risk and learn how to decrease that risk. (https://www.ncoa.org/tools/falls-free-checkup)
Falls Prevention Tips Video: This 7-minute video provides several tips for preventing falls in the community. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YI5QP-eWAA)Tools and Resources to Plan Your Fall Prevention Awareness Event
These tools and others can be used to plan and implement falls prevention awareness events in September and throughout the year.
CDC’s Still Going Strong Campaign: This campaign includes information about fall prevention and premade print, video, and social media posts. (https://www.cdc.gov/still-going-strong/campaign-resources/index.html)
Missouri Aging Profiles: Each of these 1-page profiles provides data about older adults in each of Missouri’s counties, including fall-related injuries. (https://health.mo.gov/seniors/masterplanaging/)
NCOA Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit: The theme this year is from awareness to action. This toolkit includes social media posts and graphics, logos and banners, public relations tools, printable resources, bone health information, and advocacy. (https://www.ncoa.org/page/falls-prevention-awareness-week-toolkit/)