Staying Vertical
A New Approach to Fall Prevention
A New Approach to Fall Prevention
Our purpose at SLO Village Movement (SVM) is to reimagine the experience of aging through social connection, neighborly support and helpful services. And our vision is to create an age-friendly movement where ALL stages of life offer meaningful opportunities for growth, connection and joy!
Fall prevention education and training is foundational to carrying out SVM’s core mission. Recent budget cuts to SLO County’s Healthy Aging Program, includes elimination of its fall prevention workshops, community fitness and home inspection programs. SVM seeks to fill these gaps, starting with Staying Vertical | A New Approach to Fall Prevention, featuring the groundbreaking documentary, ‘Saving Claire’ of which SVM has exclusive license.
Fall prevention education and training is foundational to carrying out SVM’s core mission. Recent budget cuts to SLO County’s Healthy Aging Program, includes elimination of its fall prevention workshops, community fitness and home inspection programs. SVM seeks to fill these gaps, starting with Staying Vertical | A New Approach to Fall Prevention, featuring the groundbreaking documentary, ‘Saving Claire’ of which SVM has exclusive license.
Saving Claire: The Story of Denying Gravity
Produced by Ames Productions in partnership with The Thriving in Place Project the documentary “Saving Claire” tells the story of Linda Goldman, a woman who—at the age of 70—created a theater company for senior adults and wrote the play “Denying Gravity” about an independent retiree whose life is dramatically altered after a fall.
Why it Matters
- In the US, 14 million older individuals fall every year; Of these, more than half (or 9 million) require medical treatment or experience restricted activity. Falling once doubles the chance of falling again within 6 months.
- There is an ER visit every 15 seconds in the US due to a fall.
- Falls are the leading cause of injury or injury-related deaths among older adults, killing 39,000 every year.
- A fall often heralds the end of independence for an older adult, and results in chaos and upset for them and their families.
Staying Vertical Inaugural Event was a Huge Success!
The response to our September 25th Fall Prevention Initiative was an overwhelming success! Community members filled Adventist Health Sierra Vista Auditorium; the Saving Claire documentary was relatable and thought-provoking; and the expert panel of medical/response professionals provided valuable information and sparked meaningful discussion. Attendees left feeling informed, inspired and motivated to make small but very meaningful changes to protect their independence.
A big thank you to our presenting partner, Adventist Health, our expert panelists and moderator, and our incredible SVM volunteers.
Staying Vertical Next Steps
SLO Village Movement will be sponsoring many additional Staying Vertical Fall Prevention events throughout 2026. Be sure to sign up and provide us your email to keep you informed.
And please review our list of vital information and key resources on how to prevent falls and mitigate risk by keeping ourselves, homes and surrounding areas safer. Click Here for Resource Page
Together, we are building an age-friendly movement where prevention, awareness, and community support help us all to keep “staying vertical.”
Onward and Upward!