MASSACHUSETTS FALLS PREVENTION COALITION

The Massachusetts Falls Prevention Coalition (the Coalition) was established in 2006 by founding organizations, the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, to raise awareness about the serious problem of older adult falls and associated injuries and promote the availability of successful prevention strategies to help reduce falls rates in Massachusetts. 

The Coalition is currently comprised of over 160 individuals representing nearly 100 organizations including state agencies, multiple types of community-based organizations serving older adults (e.g., Councils on Aging, Aging Services Access Points), healthcare providers/practitioners (e.g., occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, pharmacists), long term care, home health, hospital providers, public health researchers/epidemiologists, educators, advocates, etc.  

 

SHARING A MISSION

Our voluntary Coalition members are committed to the following mission: 

  • To increase awareness that falls are preventable.
  • To support family members/caregivers, healthcare providers, and the community at large about falls prevention; and
  • To reduce the incidence and severity of falls and fall-related injuries across the lifespan. 

 

HOW DOES THE COALITION WORK TOGETHER? 

  • We hold biannual membership meetings that offer opportunities to network with each other, share important news around falls prevention activities/events, and learn from invited expert presenters and member presenters about their fall prevention work and new programs/initiatives. Our meetings are hybrid allowing for both in-person and virtual participation at the Mass Medical Society headquarters in Waltham.
  • The month of September is especially important to the fall prevention community and the Coalition as it includes a national observance focused on raising awareness that falls are preventable. Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD) is September 22, 2025, at the start of the fall season. Falls Prevention Awareness Week (FPAW) is September 22 – 26, 2025. Both events focus on promoting and educating adults on the many ways adult falls and falls with injuries can be prevented.

To learn more about what you can do to participate and help raise awareness, please visit this NCOA webpage here.

The Coalition maintains regular contact with members through a monthly newsletter that enables timely dissemination of pertinent information, for example, new research on evidence-based falls prevention interventions, the release of state/federal reports on falls and fall-related data, announcements of funding-related opportunities, upcoming events of interest to organizations serving older adult populations and other “at-risk for falls” populations, etc.

 

HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS FALLS PREVENTION COALITION?

Coalition membership is open to any individual with an interest in older adult falls prevention and commitment to the membership roles and responsibilities. Active membership includes: 

  • attending at least one of the biannual meetings; and
  • actively participated in the meetings by joining in group discussions and sharing updates from your organization.

 

Additional information can be found in the Massachusetts Falls Prevention Coalition Terms of Reference. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Helen Magliozzi.

 

2025 Falls Prevention Coalition meeting dates: 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and Thursday, October 16, 2025, 10:00am-12:00pm

 Important Links for More Information About Falls Prevention: