One in four Americans ages 65 years and older fall each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).  In 2014, there were 8,164 fall-related inpatient hospitalizations for Kentucky residents ages 65+ (Kentucky Safety and Prevention Alignment Network, 2014).  According to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center in Campbell County for seniors (age 65 +), the estimated emergency department visits to hospitals for unintentional falls from 2008-2012 was 30-40%.  Each emergency room visit due to a fall costs on average $2,800 (Cincinnati Enquirer, 2014).  Total hospital charges for fall-related inpatient hospitalizations per person involving Campbell County Kentucky resident’s ages 65+ was on average $32,342 (Kentucky Safety and Prevention Alignment Network, 2014).  In 2015, fall related injuries for seniors cost around $50 billion (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).  In addition, the fear of falling is often a real concern for the aging adult.  This fear may cause a reduction in activities, which then can lead to reduced mobility and physical fitness, and finally to an increase in t heir actual risk of falling.  In order to address these issues, the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service offered an eight week series called Matter of Balance.

Twelve participants who were 65 years and older completed the Matter of Balance series, which focused on reducing the fear of falling, increasing physical activity, and learning fall prevention strategies.  Methods utilized from the Matter of Balance curriculum were the following:  personal action plans, home hazard checklists, assessing fall risk-taking behaviors, exercise training, and practical problem solving through group discussion.   An occupational therapist discussed vestibular/balance disorders and practical ways to lower fall risks.  Plate It Up recipes were sampled at each of the eight classes.  End of the 8 week program written evaluations showed that 100% of the participants said that their understanding about fall prevention increased, 67% had made changes in their home environment to reduce the risk of falling, 100% had become more physically active to reduce the risk of falling, 100% changed their fall-ty habits, 67% had made or shared the Plate it Up recipes tried in class, and 83% reduced their fear of falling. Based on the average cost per person for total hospital charges for a fall-related inpatient hospitalization involving Campbell County residents 65+ ($32,342), the twelve participants who completed the Matter of Balance program could potentially lead to an estimated savings of $388,104 in health care costs.  One participant stated, “I understand environments should be altered to prevent falls. I have been more aware of my exercises and some “impulsive” motion that I must use caution!” Another stated, “It’s made me aware of my surroundings. I scan an area and see what things might be obstacles for me.”