Collaboration between Fishers Department of Fire & Emergency Services and Fishers Health Department helps residents age safely at home
The following was issued by the City of Fishers:
FISHERS, IND. (February 20, 2024) – The Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services has partnered with the Fishers Health Department to reduce the number of emergency calls received due to accidental falls, which has nearly doubled since 2019. Falls comprised 20 percent of the department’s ambulance transports in 2023. The two departments recently collaborated to receive a $30,000 Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) grant from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for their new Fishers Fall Prevention Program.
The Fishers Fall Prevention Program launched in November 2023 with the goal of helping residents age safely at home. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in adults 65 and older. One in four older adults report falling each year.
Led by the Fishers Health Department’s Social Worker and Community Health Advocates, residents 65 and older are eligible to apply to Fishers’ new program to receive free support which includes home visits, fall prevention education, assistance with necessary in-home modifications, and referrals to community partners as needed.
“Falls in the home are the leading cause of injury in Fishers,” said Division Chief Joe Harding from the Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ EMS Division. “For several years, our first responders have recognized that these are often preventable events, but we lacked resources to assist the individual. Last year our Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) team collaborated with the Fishers Health Department to provide in-home assessment and intervention, which launched the new Fishers Fall Prevention Program. We quickly identified that there was a lack of funding for low- or fixed-income residents to purchase or install mobility devices on their own. These grant dollars will help us close the gap and help to keep our residents safe in their own homes.”
The departments will work together alongside organizations such as the Shepherd Center of Hamilton County and Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County to identify residents in need of financial support.
Residents interested in learning more about the Fall Prevention Program can contact the Fishers Health Department Social Work program at 317-463-4361 or email socialwork@fishers.in.us for more information.