Are you a nonprofit with a program that might help prevent falls by older adults?
Get it going by applying for a grant through Solano Community Foundation.
Each year, the foundation makes grants available from the United Way Health Endowment Fund to support healthcare services and programs for adults 65 years and older in Solano and Napa counties. SCF offers $60,000 to local private nonprofit organizations to support evidence-based falls prevention programs. Public agencies are not eligible.
Evidence shows that adults 65 years and older are more prone to falling because of natural loss of muscle strength, declining balance and coordination, diminished vision, hearing and reflexes. Diabetes, neuropathy and heart disease also affect balance; and certain medications affect vision and cause drowsiness and dizziness.
Research shows that falls by seniors and their resultant injuries are preventable and are not random events. Assessing risk factors and making lifestyle changes, home modifications, and proper diet dramatically reduce the risk of falling.
Which is where the prevention programs come in.
Grant requests must align with one or more of these goals:
• Develop or expand a multifaceted falls risk assessment, management, and/or reporting program. Assessment factors may include medication reviews, vision exams, environmental hazards, blood pressure monitoring, and overall fitness.
• Reduce specific risk factors through use of exercise as a stand-alone prevention intervention, or as a component of a multifaceted program to prevent falls.
• Develop or improve referral networks, services, and support systems and access to them.
• Provide or improve outreach services, including education/information campaigns and materials to help reduce ignorance about falling as a preventable condition.
The application and Request for Proposals forms are posted on the Solano Community Foundation website at www.solanocf.org.
Deadline to apply is noon on Aug. 15.
For more information, call Connie Harris, Chief Operating Officer, at 399-3846 or write to email@example.com.