News Release                   For Immediate Release

September 16, 2003

Grant Awarded to Prevent Falls in Seniors

The Public Health Unit is pleased to announce that it has been chosen as one of three Ontario project demonstration sites to implement the “Stay on Your Feet” program. “Stay on Your Feet” is an Australian program designed to help older adults avoid injuries related to falls.  The cornerstone of the program is training older adults to teach other older adults the skills necessary to avoid falls.  Other activities include media campaigns, community education, public safety, home hazard reduction and partnerships with health care professionals.  The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation will be providing $100,000.00 to Grey Bruce over the next two years.

Over the summer, a project team designed and submitted a grant proposal to adapt the Australian project to Grey and Bruce Counties. Team members include Deborah Ferrier Armstrong, Client Services Manager Victorian Order of Nurse Grey/Bruce; Glenda Clarke, Senior Planner, Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council; Linda Davies, Community Project Team Leader, Public Health; Beth Gibson, Community Senior Volunteer; Robert Mackey, Chair of Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council; Don McCausland, Mayor Grey Highlands and Warden Grey County; Glenn McConkey, Community Senior Volunteer and Vice President Henderson, Paddon and Associates; Linda McLaughlin, Manager, Community Health Services, Canadian Red Cross; Carol Merton, Client Services Supervisor, Community Care Access Centre; Marguerite Thomas, Project Co-ordinator, Public Health and Dr. John Van Dorp, Physician Consultant.

The “Stay on Your Feet” program will also be implemented in Kingston and Elliott Lake. Lessons learned from these three sites can be applied to bringing the program to the rest of Ontario. Sue Corlett and Reg Warren of Corlett and Associates from Toronto will be evaluating the process of implementing the projects at all three sites. On Wednesday, September 17, Corlett and Warren will be in Owen Sound along with Dr. Eric Van Beurden, who designed the project in New South Wales Australia, to meet with the project team. For more information, contact Marguerite Thomas at 881-1920 ext. 246.

-30-

For more information:

Marguerite Thomas

Public Health Nurse

Public Health

881-1920 , ext. 246