The Falls Prevention Coalition was formed in January of 2018 in response to data identifying falls as a leading cause of injury and death among older adults in Benton and Franklin Counties. The pandemic further shed light on the need to focus attention toward improving the health and quality of life for older adults.
Benton-Franklin Health District joined in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, Trust for America’s Health, and the John A. Hartford Foundation to participate in the Age-Friendly Public Health Systems endeavor. Benton-Franklin Health District is now officially recognized as an Age-Friendly Public Health System prioritizing work to improve health by focusing on equity, social determinants of health, ageism, social connection, prevention education, access to care, built environment and other areas that impact longevity and quality of life. Part of this work includes aligning with community partners in connecting and convening to enable collaboration from multiple stakeholders.
Founding members of the Falls Prevention Coalition welcomed the healthy aging focused scope of work, reached out to more community partners, and expanded to become the Safe and Healthy Aging Coalition. Falls prevention remains a key area of focus along with the many other topics related to healthy aging for all residents throughout their life course. The attendees of our Safe and Healthy Aging Coalition are dedicated community members who are often subject matter experts in a wide variety of fields related to healthy aging. Connecting through the coalition increases the ability to work together to best serve the residents of Benton and Franklin counties.
The mission of the Safe & Healthy Aging Coalition is to connect and convene sectors and professionals that provide the supports, services, and infrastructure to promote equitable opportunities for health and wellbeing for the aging residents of Benton and Franklin Counties.
A Public Health Framework to Support the Improvement of the Health and Well-being of Older Adults defines healthy aging as being inclusive of three components:
1) promoting health, preventing injury, and managing chronic conditions;
2) optimizing physical, cognitive, and mental health; and
3) facilitating social engagement.
This definition intentionally does not equate healthy aging with the absence of disease and disability. Instead, it portrays healthy aging as both an adaptive process in response to the challenges that can occur as we age and a proactive process to reduce the likelihood, intensity, or impact of future challenges. Healthy aging involves maximizing physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, while recognizing that aging can be accompanied by chronic illnesses and functional limitations, including lifelong conditions. It emphasizes the importance of meaningful involvement of older adults with others, such as friends, family members, neighbors, organizations, and the wider community.
