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Preventing Falls in Older Adults

Falls Prevention Awareness Week 2025

Each year, we commemorate Falls Prevention Awareness Week during the first week of Fall. Join the NYC Falls Prevention Coalition this September for virtual and in-person falls prevention events!

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Tuesday, September 16

7th Annual NYC Community Older Adult Falls Prevention Symposium (English)
Presented by NY-Presbyterian Weill Cornell
Description: A wide variety of older adult stakeholders discuss best practices and strategies to prevent older adult falls in our communities. For professionals.

Bingocize
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: Bingocize combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of Bingo; a great and fun way to get moving and socializing. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457

Staying Steady: Strategies to Prevent Falls and Stay Independent (English)
Presented by NYC Aging + NYC H+H, and NYU Langone Health
Description: Join to learn how exercise, balance, and healthy habits keep you steady, along with the role of vision, hearing, and medications in staying safe.

  • Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Register: Click here to register.
    • Meeting ID: 854 1234 1929
    • Passcode: 778886
    • Or, call 1 (929) 436-2866

Wednesday, September 17

Healthy Aging Fair!
Presented and Sponsored by NYC Aging, Asphalt Green, NY-Presbyterian, MetroPlus Health, ConEdison, NYU Langone Health, Salonpas, Aetna, ITO EN, Senior Whole Health, and more.
Description: Learn what makes your communities great places to age, and how you can maintain your physical and mental fitness! Physical activity demos, educational info, and more! For more information, call 212-AGING-NYC.

  • Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Registration: Click here to register.
  • Location: Asphalt Green, 55 East 90th St., New York, NY 10128

Aging Victoriously!
Presented by NY-Presbyterian Weill Cornell
Description: Aging Victoriously! celebrates aging and how each day we grow, learn, love and live! Guest speakers include FabAtFiftyPlus, Lisa Hunt DO, and Howard Tucker, MD, the world's oldest practicing physician.

Thursday, September 18

Bingocize
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: Bingocize combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of Bingo; a great and fun way to get moving and socializing. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457

Friday, September 19

Walk with Ease
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: WWE is an evidence-based program designed to help seniors, particularly with arthritis, be physically active and manage pain with walking. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457

Bingocize
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: Bingocize combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of Bingo; a great and fun way to get moving and socializing. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457

Monday, September 22

Falls Prevention, Medicine Safety and Vision Health (English)
Presented by NYC Health Department, NYC Poison Center, VISIONS
Description: Join us to learn tips and strategies for preventing falls, taking medicine safely, and protecting your vision health. For older adults and professionals.

Tuesday, September 23

Preventing Falls among Older Adults (Bengali)
Presented by NYC Health Department
Description: Join us to learn how to prevent falls. Strategies discussed include physical activity, vision and hearing health, medicine safety, home safety and more. For older adults and professionals.

Memory Loss and Falls Prevention
Presented by Dekeya Slaughter, NYC H+H Kings County Hospital
Description: There is a strong link between memory problems and falling, and falls may be an early warning sign of memory decline. Join us to learn more.

  • Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: St. Louis Senior Center, 230 Kingston Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11213
  • Phone: 1 (718) 771-7945

Bingocize
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: Bingocize combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of Bingo; a great and fun way to get moving and socializing. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457

Wednesday, September 24

Falls Prevention, Medicine Safety and Vision Health (Spanish)
Presented by NYC Health Department, NYC Poison Center, VISIONS
Description: Join us to learn tips and strategies for preventing falls, taking medicine safely, and protecting your vision health. For older adults and professionals.

Wednesday of Wisdom: Falls Prevention Awareness Week (English)
NYC Health Department, VISIONS, Brooklyn Public Library
Description: Join us to learn tips and strategies for preventing falls and protecting your vision health. For older adults and professionals.

Memory Loss and Falls Prevention
Presented by Dekeya Slaughter, NYC H+H Kings County Hospital
Description: There is a strong link between memory problems and falling, and falls may be an early warning sign of memory decline. Join us to learn more.

  • Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Location: St. Gabriel Senior Citizen Center, 331 Hawthorne St., Brooklyn, NY 11225
  • Phone: 1 (718) 774-5248

Thursday, September 25

Preventing Falls among Older Adults (English)
Presented by NYC Health Department
Description: Join us to learn how to prevent falls. Strategies discussed include physical activity, vision and hearing health, medicine safety, home safety and more. For older adults and professionals.

Move with Confidence (English)
Presented by Fall Stop…MOVE STRONG™
Description: Join founder Celeste Carlucci and FallStop trainers for a fun-filled Zoom class to learn fall prevention tips and strategies and at-home exercises to reduce falls risk. For older adults.

Memory Loss and Falls Prevention
Presented by Dekeya Slaughter, NYC H+H Kings County Hospital
Description: There is a strong link between memory problems and falling, and falls may be an early warning sign of memory decline. Join us to learn more.

  • Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Location: St. Gabriel Senior Citizen Center, 331 Hawthorne St., Brooklyn, NY 11225
  • Phone: 1 (718) 774-5248

Bingocize
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: Bingocize combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of Bingo; a great and fun way to get moving and socializing. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457

Nutrition and Falls Prevention (English)
Presented by NYC H+H Bellevue
Description: Join us to learn about falls prevention, nutrition, and how the two interact. For older adults.

  • Location: Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), 171 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
  • Phone: 1 (212) 533-2541

Friday, September 26

Walk with Ease
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: WWE is an evidence-based program designed to help seniors, particularly with arthritis, be physically active and manage pain with walking. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457

Bingocize
Presented by Julia Glauboch, Staten Island University Hospital
Description: Bingocize combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of Bingo; a great and fun way to get moving and socializing. Free membership; 60+ to join; register on-site.

  • Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Location: New Dorp Friendship Club Older Adult Center, 128 Cedar Grove Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
  • Phone: 1 (718) 814-3457


In New York City, falls are a leading cause of injury-related death and hospitalization for older adults. In addition to serious injuries and deaths, falls can affect the quality of life for older adults, sometimes making it harder for them to live independently. Although falls are common, they do not need to be a normal part of aging. Falls are preventable and everyone can help older adults avoid them.

Learn more about how falls prevention contributes to the Health of Older Adults in New York City (PDF).

Tips and Strategies

Falls can happen for many reasons. Some factors that can lead to falls include:

  • Muscle weakness and trouble with mobility and balance
  • Untreated hearing loss and vision impairment
  • Trip and slip hazards in the environment
  • Side effects of medications
  • Fear of falling and history of falling

You can prevent falls by taking these measures:

  • Make Your Home Safer: Almost half of falls occur in the home. To make your home safer, find and fix trip and fall hazards. If you work from home, be careful of computer and electrical wires. Coil the wires next to the wall and tape them down if you can.

  • Be Active: Physical activity is a great way to prevent falls and many exercises can be done from your home. Talk with your health care provider about what exercises are best for you and how to exercise safely.
    • Many Older Adult Centers and community organizations in NYC offer evidence-based falls prevention physical activity programs. These programs are evaluated and proven effective at reducing falls risk for older adult participants.

  • Focus on Medicine Safety: Manage your medicine routine and pay attention to medicines that may increase your risks of falling. Call your pharmacist to discuss refills and possible delivery options.

  • Talk to Your Health Care Provider: Talk to your health care provider about strategies to keep your home safe and you healthy. To help prepare for your visit, learn more about:

  • Reduce Your Fear of Falling: A fear of falling is common, even among those who have not had a fall, and it can actually increase your risk of a fall.

  • Care for Your Feet: Foot problems can make it harder to stay physically active and increase your risk of tripping, slipping and falling. Painful conditions include bunions, corns, calluses and warts.
    • To keep your feet healthy and pain-free, you should:
      • Keep them clean and dry, especially between your toes
      • Trim your toenails regularly.
      • Never try to treat serious foot problems at home – make an appointment with your healthcare professional.
    • Footwear: Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can reduce your risk of falling.
      • Wear shoes with a firm sole that doesn’t slip.
      • Wear walking shoes.
      • Don’t wear shoes with heels taller than 1 inch.
      • Don’t wear slippers or flip-flops, even at home.
      • Don’t walk in socks or stockings, even at home.
      • Limit your time walking barefoot, even at home.

In the event of a fall, there are strategies and tips that can help you prepare for potential falls and decrease your risk of serious injury.

Caregivers and Providers

If you are taking care of an older adult, check out the Department of Heath’s tips and resources for new and experienced caregivers.

New York City Falls Prevention Coalition

The New York City Falls Prevention Coalition brings together partners from across different sectors to leverage information and resources to reduce the incidence and burden of falls among vulnerable populations. For more information, contact the Falls Prevention Coalition at fallsprevention@health.nyc.gov.

Additional Resources

To get free falls prevention materials by mail, call 311.

More Information