Fall Prevention and Community Mobility Awareness Program Hagar Abdel-Baky and Luke de Andrade 2013-2014 NC Albert Schweitzer Fellows The program provided fall prevention classes and car safety education for older adults in the Winston-Salem area. The Fellows were certified Matter of Balance (MOB) coaches trained in an evidenced based program recognized to reduce fall risk and increase activity levels. Mentors: Dr. Megan Edwards and Dr. Darlene Perez-Brown Community Partners: The Area Agency on Aging, Charlotte Williams, Sheila Hutchinson, and Joycelyn Johnson Sponsor: Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust Goals Participants will identify 4 out of 9 environmental factors of fall risks outside their home environment. Participants will engage in at least 3 exercise sessions a week for 20 minutes each session. Participants will conduct and implement an assessment of their environment. Matter of Balance (MOB) classes were offered at 3 community facilities. Each series of classes consisted of eight two-hour sessions. Exercises focused on improving strength, balance and gait. Held 3 MOB courses serving between 8-12 participants each course 37 participants were served overall Participants learned to view falls and the fear of falling as preventable and set realistic goals for increasing activity levels. Participants found ways to change their environment(s) to reduce fall risk factors and committed to engaging in simple exercises to increase strength and balance. Celebration luncheons were conducted 4 weeks post MOB classes to celebrate participants success with continuing exercises and gather data. 2 fall risk screenings and health promotion education were held with the Rams Mobile Clinic. Also led these events on National Health and Fitness Day at Healy Towers and Sunrise Towers. 4 CarFit events were held after each MOB course to offer car safety education by going over a 12 point checklist. 21 participants were served overall Sustainability RAMSOTA will sustain the MOB classes and OT students Samantha Bivins and Jessie Manthey will be the project leaders in the upcoming year. The Schweitzer Fellowship is providing $1,000 in funding to sustain the MOB classes. CarFit events will continue to be offered by Fieldwork Level I OT students with Dr. Megan Edwards. www.schweitzerfellowship.org 704-895-6596