Falling for a Balance Partner

The growing accumulation of knowledge about fall prevention strategies primarily reflects a research perspective where intervention data are rigorously collected and analyzed. However, the voices of program deliverers or participants who are part of these interventions are often aggregated and thus muted. With recognition of the growing importance of patient-centered care, we wanted to provide a personal reflection on the Balance Partner program, a CDC funded project to train peer leaders in fall prevention. In the story below, Sara was trained as a Balance Partner using a curriculum developed at The University of North Carolina’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. The Balance Partner Program provides training and support to community volunteers who are paired with a peer who is at risk for falls. Together, Balance Partners plan strategies to decrease the likelihood of a fall – strategies that could include joining a balance exercise program, improving home safety, or getting a vision check-up. By addressing social and emotional factors alongside knowledge about falls, the Balance Partner Program aims to increase older adults’ overall adherence to fall prevention activities above the 50% rate reported in literature (1). Sara, a 69-yearold volunteer, was paired with Georgia, who screened at high risk for falls during a Building Better Balance Screening in Asheville, NC, USA. As of this writing, Sara and Georgia had worked together for almost 6 months to implement strategies to reduce their falls risk.