Falls Prevention

Mission Statement

The Falls Prevention Coalition mission is to collectively raise island-wide awareness of the risk of falling as one ages, to educate Older Adults on fall prevention strategies, and to empower Older Adults to take action to reduce their fall risk and, when they do fall, recover more quickly.

Home Safety Modification Program

What is it?
A program to provide housing modifications to island homeowners 65 years and older.

Benefits

Comprehensive: needs assessment to provide solutions
Low cost, high impact: specializes in one-time minimally disruptive but high impact minor home renovations
Individualized: approaches assessment from the homeowner’s perspective and provides personalized solutions customized to their daily routines, needs, and preferences

Program Funding
Participants pay on a sliding fee scale, based on income qualifications. In some cases, the total cost of the home safety modification will be covered.

Modifications span from simple to more complicated including:

Grab bars installation (bathrooms, toilets, showers, tubs, doorways)
Stairwell handrails
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Non-skid strips and lighting

Where do I start?
Complete an application which you can obtain from your local Council on Aging

Tisbury COA: 508-696-4205
Oak Bluffs COA: 508-693-4509 x3
Up-Island COA: 508-693-2896
Edgartown COA: 508-627-4386

OUr supporting organizations

A huge thank you to all of the local organizations who support the coalition! This wouldn't be possible without them.

Chilmark Board of Health

Consumer Activists

Edgartown Council on Aging

Elder Services of Cape Cod/Islands

Island Health Care Community Center

Martha's Vineyard Community Services

Martha's Vineyard Hospital

Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce

Martha's Vineyard Center for Living

NAACP

Oak Bluffs Council on Aging

Tisbury Board of Health

Tisbury Council on Aging

Up Island Council on Aging

Vineyard Complementary Medicine

Vineyard Haven Library

VNA of Cape Cod - Martha's Vineyard Office

YMCA Healthy Agers

MATTER OF BALANCE:
Evidenced-based falls prevention training!

This year, HAMV is bringing a new science-based falls prevention workshop to the island!

We present to you, Matter of Balance!

A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based interactive program to educate, connect, and support our Older Adults who have experienced a fall or who are in fear of falling after having fallen.

Edgartown Council on Aging

Thursdays beginning October 3 - November 21

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Call or Email The Anchors to register! Space is limited!

508-627-4368

MKeating@edgartown-ma.us

CLICK HERE for more information