Preventing falls and travel risks in older adults: things family members can do
The US CDC once carried out a health awareness campaign for older adults, educating people about risks such as falls, car crashes, and traumatic brain injuries. These reminders are also of reference value for China: family members can pay more attention to the home environment and help older adults reduce the risk of accidents in daily activities.
Machine translation of our Chinese article, without human translation review. Suggestions concerning China remain specific to China.
Automatically reviewed, without human verification. Programmatic checks are not professional review. Seek professional advice where appropriate. Automatically reviewed on 10/4/2026, 7:14:25 AM
Chinese fact summaries and suggestions for China (not a full translation)
Original: About Still Going Strong | Still Going Strong | CDC · Original language: en
Read the original ↗Facts from the sources
The US CDC's 'Still Going Strong' campaign delivers messages directly to adults aged 65 and older and their caregivers. View source
The campaign educates people about common risk factors such as falls, motor vehicle crashes, and traumatic brain injuries resulting from them. View source
In 2021, the US CDC placed advertisements in urban and rural markets in four states: Maine, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin. View source
The US CDC said that in 2024 it would place advertisements in Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Washington, and place ads targeting tribes in Arizona, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. View source
The selection of states was based on the number of common injuries to older adults such as falls, car crashes, and traumatic brain injuries, as well as related deaths. View source
The campaign also achieved nationwide reach through social media, media coverage, and partner efforts. View source
For older people and families
First check the places where the older adult often walks: whether the floor is even, and whether there are wires or small objects that could easily cause tripping.
Leave a small light on in hallways and the bathroom at night, so the older adult can see more clearly when getting up during the night.
Remind the older adult to slow down when getting on or off vehicles and crossing the street, and not to rush.
If the older adult has a headache, dizziness, or nausea after a fall, seek medical examination as soon as possible.
You can accompany the older adult to attend community safety knowledge lectures.
Find out whether the medications the older adult usually takes may cause dizziness, and then confirm with a doctor.
See what care and community teams can do
Health promotion approaches from other countries can be used for reference to carry out fall prevention and traffic safety education for older adults.
Activities should clearly explain the relationship between falls, car crashes, and traumatic brain injury, but should not exaggerate individual risk.
Using local injury data for older adults, give priority to publicity in streets or communities with higher risk.
Older adults in urban and rural areas have different travel modes, so publicity content should be designed separately.
Combine the efforts of communities, hospitals, media, and other parties to expand the reach of activities.
Specific intervention measures should be developed jointly by social workers, medical staff, and fall prevention professionals.
What needs local assessment
The above content is compiled based on information from the US CDC's related campaign activities and is for reference only; it does not mean that the same policies or activities already exist in China. Older adults vary greatly individually; decisions about fall risk, medication effects, and whether the home environment needs modification should be made after consulting doctors, rehabilitation therapists, or professional assessors. Do not handle medical issues on your own. Source of facts: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Source: CDC). The original materials are freely available on the CDC website. This website and its localisation suggestions do not represent endorsement by CDC, HHS, or the US government; no images or logos from the original have been reproduced.
Sources
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDCWas this article helpful?
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