Area Agency on Aging releases Request for Proposal to fund Fall Prevention services for older adults
The Area Agency on Aging for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties announces the availability of a Request for Proposal to fund Fall Prevention services for older adults and persons with disabilities in Fiscal Year 2020/21.
“The Area Agency on Aging is responsible for the allocation of monies from the State Budget authorized through Assembly Bill 74,” announced Jim Talbott, President, Board of Directors, Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens. “Funds will be able to provide in-home environmental assessments; instruction on behavioral, physical and environmental aspects of injury prevention, purchase on injury prevention equipment and services.”
“This funding is designed to target those ‘at-risk’, continued Mr. Talbott. “Those are individuals that have a high likelihood that they will suffer a fall based on certain indicators. Some common indicators include: suffered a previous fall or numerous falls, have been hospitalized for a fall or had surgery as a result of a fall, or have certain medical conditions that leaves them more susceptible to falls.”
“Falls among the senior population are both serious and costly,” continued Mr. Talbott. “One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury. Each year 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.”
Locally, the 2018 Elder Needs Assessment survey conducted by this Area Agency on Aging revealed falling and fear of falling were among the top three concerns identified by over 1,100 senior citizens completing the survey, continued Mr. Talbott.
“Eligible organizations are invited to an Applicant’s Conference on Thursday, June 11, 2020 to learn more about the application process.”
For more information please contact the Area Agency on Aging at 805-925-9554 or seniors@centralcoastseniors.org.
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