(Harrisburg, PA)— The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) is one of 18 organizations nationwide being awarded funds from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) as part of the U.S Administration for Community Living (ACL) Innovation Lab to implement and test falls prevention activities in their communities.
“We are excited to explore new ways to empower older adults to prevent falls, so they can stay healthy and independent,” said Victoria Elliott. “This grant will allow us to build on our existing services and ensure our programs reflect the needs and wants of the older adults in our community.”
Over the two-year grant period, PPA will deliver activitiesselected from a newly developed taxonomy for falls prevention and test whether they offer a flexible, adaptable, and relevant option to address their communities’ falls prevention needs. The activities fall into one of three categories: physical activity, home modification and assistive devices, and education and behavior change. Grantees are required to report on how they implement their activities and specific participant outcomes, in addition to participating in technical assistance opportunities and involving community members in overall planning and decision making.
In Pennsylvania, nearly 30% of residents aged older adults ages 65+ reported falling in the past 12 months. Nationally, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans, making the need for new falls prevention strategies more important now than ever.
The PPA project, titled, Community-Pharmacy Led Fall Prevention Initiative Enhancing Patient Safety Through Risk Assessment and Intervention will enhance patient safety and reduce fall-related injuries by equipping selected pharmacy teams across Pennsylvania with the tools and resources necessary to implement effective fall prevention strategies. With the support of our project partner, Value Drug Company, participating pharmacies will be empowered to provide personalized counseling on medication management, assistive device use, and home safety recommendations. By increasing pharmacists’ and pharmacy teams’ involvement in fall risk assessment and intervention, the project aims to position pharmacists as key healthcare providers in preventing falls and improving public health.
About PPA
Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing almost all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, it promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health. For more information about PPA, visit papharmacists.com.
