Older New Yorkers can find local help with home safety, balance classes and other fall-prevention services through the state's aging network, the New York State Office for the Aging said during National Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
The Sept. 21-25 observance draws attention to a common risk for adults 65 and older. More than 14 million older adults, about one in four, report a fall each year nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in that age group, the agency says.
Local agencies assess risks and connect people with help
Case managers at Area Agencies on Aging across New York can assess fall risks, including hazards inside a person's home. They can connect older adults with home safety modifications, personal emergency response systems and other supports, according to the state office.
Some existing aging services also provide contact or assistance for people at risk, including home-delivered meals, transportation and personal care. The services available to an individual depend on local programs and needs; the state did not say that every listed service is automatically available to every caller.
New York's area agencies offer more than 40 evidence-based health promotion programs and serve more than 35,000 participants annually, the office said. Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention is the most widely offered of those programs.
The state Department of Health also makes virtual Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention classes available free statewide through a federal grant. Two other virtual programs identified by the aging office are Stepping On and A Matter of Balance.
Residents can call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 to reach their local office for the aging and ask about classes, risk assessments and other supports. The office's announcement did not provide a single statewide enrollment date or promise a place in a specific class.
Online classes and practical steps
The Office for the Aging said its partnership with Vivo, an interactive strength-training program, had reached more than 1,000 older adults across 16 counties as of summer 2026 through several class formats. It reported nearly 1,300 small-group classes, another 150 larger livestream classes and almost 200 classes at senior centers since the partnership began in 2024.
Another state partnership, GetSetUp, offers free online classes for older adults, including a fall-prevention series addressing balance, strength and concerns about falling. The classes are available at getsetup.io/NYSTATE, according to the office.
For individual risk reduction, the CDC advises older adults to discuss falls with a health care provider and ask a doctor or pharmacist to review medications. It also recommends activity that improves leg strength and balance, an annual eye exam with updated glasses when needed, and removal of clutter and tripping hazards at home.
State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said older adults and caregivers can seek help to reduce fall risks while maintaining independence. The agency's programs offer prevention resources, but the announcement does not establish that any particular class or home change will eliminate an individual's risk of falling.
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