Areas of Focus

Older Adult Falls

The U-M Injury Prevention Center has an increasing level of research focus and expertise in older adult falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults aged 65 or older. From funded exploratory studies to educational events, we are working to find ways to prevent older adult falls. Below you’ll find links to more information about our work in this area, as well as a listing of members doing work or interested in this area. We invite you to explore and join us as we move forward to advance research and prevention.

CDC Compendium of Effective Fall Interventions: What Works for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This compendium of interventions is designed for public health practitioners and community-based organizations, to help them address the problem of falls among older adults. It describes 22 scientifically tested and proven interventions, and provides relevant details about these interventions for organizations who want to implement fall prevention programs.

STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) Tool Kit for Health Care Providers

CDC’s Injury Center created the STEADI Tool Kit for health care providers who see older adults in their practice who are at risk of falling or who may have fallen in the past. The STEADI Tool Kit gives health care providers the information and tools they need to assess and address their older patients’ fall risk.

Falls Prevention News & Events

11.20.20

Injury Prevention Center 2020 Virtual Inaugural Research Symposium

The University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center has organized an unique event for researchers, post-doctoral…

10.11.18

Michigan Trauma Coalition 2018 Injury Prevention Symposium

This event occurred in the past. Registration $50 on or before September 28th $60 after…

09.30.13

Preventing Injury: From Research to Practice to People

The Midwest Injury Prevention Alliance, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the University of Michigan…

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10.20.18

Injury Prevention MOOC Expands Training Resources

Injury Prevention MOOC Expands Training Resources “As far as feedback for the course, I really,…

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Latest Publications on Older Adult Falls Prevention

See All

Falls Prevention Information & Tools

Prevention Resources

Summary of an Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Program–Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance®

This document highlights an evidence-based falls prevention program (Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance®) designed for community-dwelling older adults and individuals with physical limitations.

A Summary of Older Adult Falls Prevention Information and Resources

This handout provides statistics on falls among older adults, a member profile on Dr. James A. Ashton-Miller, and state and national older adult fall prevention resources.

Legislative Issues & Policy Briefs

Cost of Fatal Injuries in Michigan

This document describes the cost of fatal injuries in Michigan and the implications for public health practice.

Funded Research Projects Focused on Falls Prevention

The U-M Injury Prevention Center has funded current and past injury research projects focusing on the prevention of older adult falls. Peruse the projects listed below.

Overdose and Fall Risk Concentration among Benzodiazepine Users

PI: Donovan Maust,
Co-I: Amy Bohnert, Neil Alexander,
Project type: Core Project
Status: Ongoing
The Effect of a Prescription Drug Coverage Policy on Risk of Falls and Overdose in Older Adults

PI: Donovan Maust, Amy Bohnert,
Co-I: Lewei Allison Lin,
Project type: Core Project
Status: Ongoing
Capturing Real World Losses Of Balance and Recovery Responses in Older Adults At Risk For Falls

PI: Neil Alexander, Lauro Ojeda
Co-I: Linda Nyquist
Project type: Exploratory Project
Status: Ongoing

More Projects

Core Faculty and Practitioners with Expertise in Falls Prevention

Please click on a faculty/practitioner’s name to access their full profile with research interests and funded projects.

Neil Alexander, MD, MS
Older Adult Falls Content Lead

Kelli Jankens

Trauma Injury Prevention Manager, Trauma Services, MidMichigan Medical Center, Midland, MI

Neil Alexander

Older Adult Falls Content Lead, Research Core, University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center

Donovan Maust

Associate Professor, Psychiatry, U-M Medical School

Marita Titler

Rhetaugh Graves Dumas Professor, School of Nursing, University of Michigan

James A. Ashton-Miller

Albert Schultz Collegiate Research Professor, Office of Research, University of Michigan

Members with Interest/Expertise in Falls Prevention

Allyson Berthiaume
MHA
Amanda Wyman
Bronson Methodist Hospital
Britt Michel
Michigan Medicine
Christian Lumaj
University of Michigan
Dominique Leibbrandt, PhD
Stellenbosch University
Douglas Martini
Oregon Health and Science University
Dr. Alex Joseph
SRM School of Public Health, SRM Institute of Science and Technolog,y Kattankulathur, India
Dwana Bass BSN RN
Henry Ford Hospital
Erin Guy
University of Michigan
Garry Garcia, PT
Rivergate Terrace Skilled Nursing and Rehab Facility
Ina Robinson, MPH
Safe States Alliance
James Borelli, MS, PhD
University of Maryland School of Medicine
James K. Richardson, M.D.
Michigan Medicine
Janet Werst
UCHealth
Lisa Orrison
University of Michigan
Maureen Nwakuna
Madonna University
Nicholas Dolnicek
University of Michigan
Omar Koroma
University of Pennsylvania
Paige Andrews
Wisconsin Department of Public Health
Payam Mirshams Shahshahani
University of Michigan
Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, MS
School of Medicine and Office of the President
Renee McCabe, BSN, RN
Augusta University Health/Children's Hospital of Georgia
Russell Faust, MD, PhD, FAAP
Oakland County Health Division
Sara Soloman, MPH, RD
Penn Injury Science Center
Sarah Sherman, PhD
Exponent
Shelbea James
Concordia University Ann Abror
Stephanie Booza
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital
Tomorrow Wilson, MS, PhD
University of Michigan Medical School