Falls Prevention Awareness Day
September 22
About Falls Prevention Awareness Day
Falls Prevention Awareness Day takes place on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, marking the first day of autumn. Led by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the day raises awareness of the risk that falls pose to older adults and promotes the practical steps that can prevent them. It anchors a wider observance, Falls Prevention Awareness Week, which runs across the same week each September.
What is Falls Prevention Awareness Day?
Falls Prevention Awareness Day is a public health observance focused on reducing falls among older adults. It is coordinated in the United States by the National Council on Aging through its National Falls Prevention Resource Center. The day brings together health professionals, community organisations, carers, and older adults themselves around a shared goal: cutting the number of preventable falls through education, screening, and evidence-based prevention programmes.
When is Falls Prevention Awareness Day?
Falls Prevention Awareness Day is observed on the first day of autumn each year. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 22 September, and forms part of Falls Prevention Awareness Week, which runs from 22 to 26 September 2026. The timing is deliberate: the start of autumn marks the seasonal turn towards shorter days and slippier conditions, a fitting moment to focus on staying steady on your feet.
Why Falls Prevention Awareness Day Matters
Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death among adults aged 65 and older in the United States. Around one in four older adults reports falling each year, amounting to over 14 million people. The consequences can be severe: in 2024, more than 43,000 people aged 65 and over died as a result of preventable falls, and fall death rates among older adults have risen by over 35 percent in the past decade. Many falls lead to hip fractures, head injuries, and a lasting loss of independence. The encouraging news is that falls are not an inevitable part of ageing, and the right measures can meaningfully reduce the risk.
How to Get Involved in Falls Prevention Awareness Day
There are many practical ways to take part, whether you are an older adult, a carer, a health professional, or simply someone who wants to help a loved one stay safe:
- Have a falls risk assessment – Ask a doctor or pharmacist to review your fall risk, including any dizziness, balance problems, or recent stumbles.
- Review your medications – Some medicines, or combinations of them, can cause drowsiness or dizziness. A medication review can flag anything that raises fall risk.
- Make your home safer – Remove trip hazards such as loose rugs and clutter, improve lighting on stairs and landings, and fit grab rails in the bathroom.
- Stay physically active – Strength and balance exercises, such as tai chi or specific physiotherapy programmes, are among the most effective ways to prevent falls.
- Get your eyes and feet checked – Regular sight tests and well-fitting, supportive footwear both help you move with confidence.
- Join a community falls prevention programme – The NCOA supports evidence-based programmes across the country; local councils on ageing can point you to one nearby.
- Talk openly about falls – Older adults sometimes hide a fall for fear of losing independence. Encouraging honest conversations helps people get support sooner.
- Share resources with carers and families – Pass on checklists and prevention tips so the people around an older adult can help spot and remove risks.
History of Falls Prevention Awareness Day
Falls Prevention Awareness Day was initiated by the National Council on Aging, with the first observance taking place in 2008. It was created in response to a growing recognition that falls among older adults were a serious and rising public health problem, and one that was largely preventable. From the outset, the aim was to unite the many groups working on healthy ageing behind a single, high-profile day of action.
The observance was originally timed to coincide with the first day of autumn, a symbolic choice that connects the campaign to the changing season. Over the years it has grown from a single day into a full Falls Prevention Awareness Week, giving organisations more time to run screenings, workshops, and community events. The expansion reflects how central the issue has become to public health efforts focused on older people.
The campaign has also gained formal recognition. In recent congressional sessions, resolutions have been introduced supporting the designation of the relevant September week as National Falls Prevention Awareness Week, underlining the issue’s national importance. Today the NCOA’s National Falls Prevention Resource Center coordinates resources, toolkits, and partner activities that ripple out across states, health systems, and local communities.
Noteworthy Facts About Falls Prevention Awareness Day
- The first Falls Prevention Awareness Day was held in 2008, initiated by the National Council on Aging.
- The day is deliberately scheduled for the first day of autumn each year.
- Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older in the United States.
- Roughly one in four older adults, more than 14 million people, reports falling each year.
- Strength and balance exercises, such as tai chi, are among the most effective evidence-based ways to reduce fall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Falls Prevention Awareness Day?
It is a public health observance led by the National Council on Aging that raises awareness of falls among older adults and promotes practical, evidence-based ways to prevent them.
When is Falls Prevention Awareness Day in 2026?
It falls on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, the first day of autumn, and forms part of Falls Prevention Awareness Week from 22 to 26 September 2026.
Who organises Falls Prevention Awareness Day?
It is coordinated in the United States by the National Council on Aging through its National Falls Prevention Resource Center, working with health professionals and community organisations.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Falls Prevention Awareness Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #FallsPreventionAwarenessDay and #FallsPreventionAwarenessDay2026 on social media. The more people who understand that falls are preventable, the more independence and wellbeing we can help protect. You may also wish to mark International Day of Older Persons, which celebrates the contributions of older people just over a week later.
Related Awareness Days
- International Day of Older Persons – A global day on 1 October recognising the rights and contributions of older people.
- International Yoga Day – Promotes the kind of gentle, balance-building movement that helps prevent falls.
- World Brain Day – Focuses on neurological health, which is closely linked to balance and mobility in later life.
Links
- Visit the National Council on Aging Falls Prevention Awareness Week page
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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