November is Falls Prevention Month, and Alberta Blue Cross® has partnered with the Alberta Injury Prevention Centre to support the annual Finding Balance campaign, a province-wide initiative to help Albertans, especially older adults, take proactive steps to prevent falls and fall-related injuries.
“Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults in Alberta, with 1 in 3 seniors experiencing a fall each year,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations with Alberta Blue Cross. “Falls contribute to a significant number of emergency room visits, hospital stays and long-term impacts on independence, mobility, confidence and quality of life.”
“But falls can be prevented,” says Tammy Mah-Fraser, director of the Injury Prevention Centre. “Preventing serious injuries is about more than just sharing facts—it's about building safe habits that help people and communities stay safe.”
Preventing falls requires not only individual awareness, but creating safer homes and communities, strengthening local partnerships and making fall-prevention practices part of everyday life. The Injury Prevention Centre’s Finding Balance campaign provides practical, evidence-informed resources to help Albertans recognize and reduce fall risks. This year’s theme—building capacity and sustainability in falls prevention within the community—highlights the importance of equipping individuals, organizations and communities with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to prevent falls throughout the year. Building lasting capacity means ensuring these resources are accessible for people to incorporate simple safety measures into their daily routines.
Sustainable falls prevention starts with practical actions that individuals and communities can maintain year-round.
1. Make homes safer
Keeping walkways clear of clutter and electrical cords, removing loose rugs, using non-slip mats, installing grab bars where appropriate and ensuring stairs and hallways are well lit can help create safer living spaces. Find more tips in the Getting around in your home booklet.
2. Create safer community spaces
Snow and ice, uneven sidewalks, poorly lit walkways and slippery floors in public buildings can increase the risk of falling. Communities can support safer mobility by identifying hazards, maintaining accessible walking routes, promoting appropriate winter footwear and traction aids, and encouraging the use of handrails and mobility aids when needed. More tips are available in the Getting around in your community booklet.
3. Strengthen community knowledge and partnerships
Health care providers, community organizations, older adult-serving agencies, municipalities, families and individuals can all contribute by sharing information, identifying local needs and connecting people with practical resources such as the Not falling for you program.
4. Make prevention part of everyday life
Small, consistent actions can help reduce fall risks over time, for example by getting a good night’s sleep. It can be harder to fall asleep and stay asleep as we age, but fatigue increases fall risk.
You can practice getting up from a fall to feel more confident. People who have experienced a fall should speak with their doctor or health care provider about their circumstances and possible strategies to reduce future risk.
About the Injury Prevention Centre
For more than 25 years, Injury Prevention Centre has supported organizations, communities and individuals in Alberta to take actions to reduce their risk of injury. By focusing on preventing injuries, they save lives and keep Albertans out of emergency rooms and hospital beds. They work as connectors, providers and leaders committed to our vision of an Alberta where people can live, learn, work and play free from life-altering injuries.
About Alberta Blue Cross
Alberta Blue Cross is a lifelong partner in health and wellbeing, helping people and organizations navigate life’s meaningful moments with clarity, care and confidence. For more than 75 years, we’ve supported individuals, employers, communities and governments through coverage and guidance to help people live well. Rooted in Alberta, we invest locally in initiatives that strengthen the communities we serve.
