Aging & Community
Programs & Partnerships
Keeping Hoosiers Steady: Driving Statewide Fall Prevention
A fall can change an older adult’s life in a matter of seconds. Beyond physical injury, the fear of falling often leads people to cut back on activities, lose their independence, and isolate themselves from their communities. Many people don’t know that “fear of falling” is a recognized condition in medicine and psychology, known as basophobia. It’s very common and can happen whether a person has actually fallen before or not. We have had participants in falls prevention classes with this condition and the classes were very helpful to them in overcoming it.
At CAC, we believe falls are preventable, not an inevitable part of aging. Through evidence-based workshops, strategic leadership, and strong community partnerships, CAC works to ensure every older Hoosier can age safely and confidently in place.
Empowering Communities Through Evidence-Based Programs
CAC actively drives the delivery of proven, evidence-based fall prevention programs across Indiana, most notably Stepping On and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. These structured evidence-based workshops equip participants with practical strategies to manage fall risks, improve balance, and build physical strength.
In Stepping On, participants meet weekly to discuss strength and balance exercises, home safety, medication management, vision health and many other topics. Our programs focus heavily on empowering older adults to recognize personal risk factors and make real-world adjustments to stay safe. Surprising to many participants is the importance of proper footwear.
Impact by the Numbers:
- 230+ Older Adults Served: Directly impacted through CAC-led workshops in northern and central Indiana.
- 16 New Facilitators Trained: Expanding community training capacity through dedicated master-led cohorts. The total number of facilitators throughout Indiana is now 50, which gives us the capacity to impact 2,000+ participants in classes during a year.
- 17 In-Home Risk Assessments Completed: Carried out in direct partnership with regional Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to eliminate home hazards.
- 43 Unique Counties Reached through the Hoosier Falls Prevention Coalition: Connecting rural and urban communities across Indiana through our network of AAA partners, local health departments, EMS/Fire, health care providers, aging service agencies and community leaders.
"Before attending the class, I was terrified of stepping off the curb or walking outside alone. Learning how to move safely and check my home for hazards gave me my confidence back."
— Stepping On Workshop Participant
Leading the Hoosier Falls Prevention Coalition (HFPC)
While direct workshops transform individual lives, systemic change requires statewide coordination. Established through a grant from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL), CAC founded and leads the Hoosier Falls Prevention Coalition (HFPC).
As the coalition's backbone organization, CAC connects healthcare systems, local health departments, emergency responders, aging network providers, and community members. With 110 active members and a 12-member Steering Committee that includes older adults with lived experience, HFPC breaks down silos to streamline fall prevention efforts statewide.
Through HFPC, CAC provides:
- Resource Clearinghouse Management: Hosting centralized, downloadable educational materials on the UIndy website.
- Cross-Sector Alignment: Bridging the gap between primary care practices, physical therapy clinics, and community-based workshops.
- Broad Media Outreach: Leveraging platforms like Radionext.tv (reaching 18,000+ older listeners weekly) and statewide AARP networks to drive public awareness. In addition, we maintain Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
What to Expect at the Annual HFPC Summit
Held annually during National Falls Prevention Week, the HFPC Conference brings together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and older adults from across Indiana.
Summit Highlights:
- Hybrid Accessibility: Attendees can join in person at the University of Indianapolis—Indiana's only designated Age-Friendly University—or tune in live from one of at least four regional streaming satellite sites.
- Expert Keynotes & Panels: Hear from leading experts, including clinical specialists and researchers discussing the latest in fall risk identification, medical and medication management and a caregiver’s lived experiences.
- Actionable Toolkits: Gain direct access to practical screening tools, referral guidelines, and community education resources ready for immediate implementation.
- “Find It Room”: Explore a unique onsite bathroom and bedroom to look for fall risks and learn how to mitigate those risks.
- Collaborative Networking: Connect with local EMS teams, health department leads, and peer advocates working to build age-friendly communities in every corner of the state.
The Hoosier Falls Prevention Coalition Summit will be held on September 22, 2026 from 10 am - 3 pm. Learn more about the agenda and register for the summit.
Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to streamline patient referrals or an older adult taking charge of your mobility, CAC and the Hoosier Falls Prevention Coalition are here to support your journey toward a safer, falls-free future.
