Fall Prevention at Meals on Wheels Diablo Region offers Fall Screening, Education, Evidence-Based Individual and Group Exercise Classes, and Home Safety Modifications services.
MOW Diablo Region serves all seniors aged 60 and older living in Contra Costa County, giving priority whenever possible to individuals in isolated, underserved, and lower-income communities.
All services are free to eligible seniors thanks to the generous support of foundations and individual donors, as well as government funding which MOW Diablo Region receives to support the community.
WHAT WE DO
Fall Prevention Education
Throughout the year, our team provides Fall Prevention Awareness interactive presentations to community groups both large and small. These talks can also include our professional colleagues and partners interested in learning about how to lower senior fall risk and increase senior engagement in preventative activities such as evidence-based exercise.
Fall Prevention Coalition
The goal of the Fall Prevention Coalition is to reduce preventable injuries, loss of independence, costs, and deaths associated with falls among seniors by raising awareness and developing fall prevention programs in Contra Costa County. The Coalition meets four (4) times per year at 500 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill. Those interested in becoming Coalition members should contact Michele Alba by filling out this form.
Fall Screening & Balance Testing
MOW Diablo Region offers individual fall risk screening and balance testing. Participants will discover how to reduce fall risks, and how to connect with more of our program services, including evidenced-based exercise approved by the National Council on Aging for reducing fall risk and improving strength, balance, and overall mobility.
Evidence-Based Exercise
Year-round, MOW Diablo Region Fall Prevention schedules evidence-based, fall prevention senior exercise programs to small groups in community settings:
A Matter of Balance
This is an evidence-based exercise program for older adults, designed to engage participants in completing exercises as well as interactive group discussion. Each week builds on information from the previous week, and participants will learn new strategies to help them achieve great results. Program goals focus on reducing the fear of falling, and increasing confidence, mobility, strength, and balance. The class can be taught in-person.
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In-person classes are held once a week for two hours each week, for 8 weeks.
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Participant workbooks and materials are provided.
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Tablets are available for participants needing a device to participate remotely.*
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Group size for all classes is limited to 12. A minimum of 8 is required for a class to be scheduled.
If you would like to host an A Matter of Balance class at your location, please let us know! Whether for a group of friends at church, a community center, office, or other location, we can work with you to offer a class for your group. For more details and how to sign up, please contact Michele Alba by filling out this form.
*Once you have completed this training, you will be eligible to borrow a tablet from our Lending Library to take our online classes, such as A Matter of Balance - Virtual.
Home Safety Modifications
For seniors across the county who are 60 or older, we provide free Home Safety Modifications to reduce preventable injuries and fall risks.
Seniors are provided with an in-home assessment by one of our experienced Occupational Therapists, who will review the home environment with the senior and help determine what assistive devices and home adaptations are most needed to assure safety. Typical items: bathroom grab bars, toilet frames, bed bars, stair hand railings, and smoke alarms. Installation work in the home is then completed by one of our licensed, bonded Contractors.
All requests for service are addressed on a first-come, first-served basis. Referred clients are contacted for follow-up within 3-5 business days of being referred. The average time for total service completion (which includes an in-home assessment by an Occupational Therapist and subsequent installation work by a licensed-bonded Contractor), may be up to 4-6 weeks. Please note we cannot provide ramp installations due to cost restrictions.
After the work has been done, we complete follow-up surveys by phone at 2 weeks and again at 90 days post services, to assure satisfaction with the installations and measure the impact of the service.
DON’T LET A FALL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Falls are the leading reason seniors lose their independence. However, falls are preventable through exercise, medication management, eye exams, and home modifications. Use this guide to assess your risk, evaluate your home, and locate resources to make your home safer. Prevent a fall and maintain your independence.
Click here for our Fall Prevention Checklist and Resource Guide
Are you looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity? Meals on Wheels Diablo Region needs volunteer coaches for A Matter of Balance classes!
A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help older adults manage concerns about falls and promotes increased physical activity. Volunteer Coaches help participants become more confident about managing falls, help to identify ways to reduce falls and lead exercises to help increase strength and balance.
MOW Diablo Region offers free training to volunteers interested in becoming a Certified Coach and provides all the tools needed to lead a class.
- In-person classes are held twice a week for 4 weeks for 2 hours each, or once a week for 8 weeks for 2 hours each.
- Virtual classes are held over Zoom twice a week for 4.5 weeks for 2 hours each, or once a week for 9 weeks for 2 hours each.
What do you need to become a Coach?
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience and comfort with using Zoom, and devices such as a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer
- Enthusiasm, dependability, and a willingness to lead small groups of older adults
- Ability to lead low-to-moderate level exercises
- Complete a 12.5-hour Coach training certification program.
- 6 month commitment required.
For more information about Coach training, contact Michele Alba, Fall Prevention Program Manager, by filling out this form.
The Fall Prevention Program of Contra Costa County Mission Statement
To reduce preventable injuries, loss of independence, costs, and deaths associated with falls among seniors by raising awareness and developing fall prevention programs in Contra Costa County.
Meetings are held from 9:00AM to 11:00 AM at 500 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill.
Upcoming 2022 Meetings
- Tuesday, February 8th
- Tuesday, May 17th (3rd Tues)
- Tuesday, August 9th
- Tuesday, November 15th (3rd Tues
If you would like to attend and for more information, please contact Michele Alba, Fall Prevention Program Manager, by filling out this form.