Falls in seniors Caregivers’ Guide to Fall Prevention

The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence supports and empowers caregivers and care providers, advances the knowledge and capacity of the caregiving field, and advocates for effective and visionary social policy, with a disability-informed approach.

Caregiving Matters is an internet-based charity providing education and support to family caregivers.

Carers Canada is a priority initiative of the Canadian Home Care Association, a national non-profit membership group dedicated to advancing excellence in home and community care so Canadians can choose to live safely and independently in their communities. Through federal advocacy and national awareness campaigns, the goal of Carers Canada is to increase recognition and support for caregivers. Carers Canada’s vision is to “create a Canada that recognizes, respects and values the integral role of carers in society.” A founding member of the International Alliance of Carer Organizations, Carers Canada is part of a global initiative championing caregivers’ rights.

Caregivers Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization providing free programs and services, support and advocacy to unpaid family and friend caregivers in Nova Scotia.

Caregivers New Brunswick provides support to New Brunswick’s caregivers, collaborates with community and government agencies and promotes policies that ease the financial and mental health challenges faced by caregivers.

L’Appui works to preserve the health, well-being and quality of life of caregivers by helping caregivers connect to resources available across Quebec. They provide caregivers with a resource directory, training and a helpline for support.

Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) exists to improve the lives of Ontario’s estimated 4 million caregivers. OCO provides access to information, services and supports that empower and help caregivers be successful in their role.

Caregivers Alberta provides resources, support and education to help people provide care to family members or friends. Services are wide-ranging to match the needs of caregivers: from a caregiver support line to one-on-one coaching and peer support groups to an award-winning caregiver education program, COMPASS for the Caregiver.

Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) proudly and compassionately supports more than one million people in British Columbia who provide physical and/or emotional care to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour. FCBC supports caregivers by providing access to information, education,and supports that enable caregivers to feel more confident and successful in their role.

Discover valuable information and practical strategies to help prevent falls with Finding Balance Alberta’s comprehensive resource.

These posters promote healthy aging and fall prevention. They are aimed at older adults and designed to be posted in a variety of settings (e.g., hospitals, clinic waiting rooms, pharmacies, community buildings, long-term care and retirement facilities etc.).

The Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network has a webpage with information on medications that are more likely to cause you to fall. Learn about the different types of medications and which ones may increase your risk of falling. Always consult your doctor about your risk for falling when you are being prescribed new medication, or if you think your current medication will increase your risk for falling.

A platform to help Canadians access the occupational therapy services they need.

This webpage from the Government of British Columbia offers questions to ask yourself and suggested actions to take to assess and reduce your risk of vision-related falling risks.

This resource from Speech-Language and Audiology Canada explains what speech-language pathologists and audiologists do and signs to look out for of speech or language disorders and hearing loss.

Both audiologists and speech-language pathologists help people who are struggling with communication disorders. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with speech, communication, listening and/or languge, help is available. Use this directory to find a professional near you.

This booklet from Finding Balance Alberta helps you spot hazards in your home that may increase the risk of falling. The booklet includes an Action Plan Log to help you make plans for removing hazards and delegate tasks.

From Balance and Dizziness Canada, find fall prevention tips for people affected by balance and dizziness problems.

Find tips for preventing slips, trips and falls by managing your blood pressure.

The Canadian Nutrition Society provides information about protein and protein foods for older adults.

This tip sheet from Finding Balance Alberta provides guidance for eating well as you age.

Providing good nutrition as caregivers can be a significant challenge. Balancing your own dietary needs with those of the person you are caring for becomes increasingly difficult as we age. In this webinar, Heather Keller, Professor and Research Chair at the Schlegel Research Institute for Aging and the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, shares information and tips for caregivers about nutrition and aging.

A podiatrist can diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle and lower leg and can provide general foot care and rehabilitation. Use this directory to find a podiatrist in your region.

Rate my Treads is a website that provides ratings for various types of winter footwear for their slip resistance in different winter conditions.

Rate my Treads is a product of iDAPT, the research arm of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network located in Toronto. iDAPT works with a broad range of clinicians, engineers, scientists, researchers, students and more to find practical solutions to common problems.

Supporting your own mental health and well-being is important to prevent caregiver burnout. With the right tools you can learn to recognize warning signs.

From MyHealth Alberta, find tips and advice for managing fear of falling.

The Friendly Calls program matches people over the age of 18 with trained Red Cross personnel who connect with them regularly to check in, provide emotional support, encourage healthy coping strategies, and suggest wellbeing resources and community connections to other existing services.

Find information about programs, services and information available to seniors acorss Canada, including resources and benefits for caregivers.