
The Faith Community Nurse Network’s Stepping On fall prevention program is helping seniors remain independent. Stepping On is a community-based, small-group program that empowers older adults to carry out health behaviors that reduce their risk of falls. Workshops meet for 2 hours, every week for 7 weeks. Local experts, Facilitators, and other group members support one another to build balance, strength, and practical skills needed to avoid falling. FCNN Stepping On Leaders serve hundreds of older adults across Minnesota.
Stepping On was developed by Dr. Lindy Clemson and was tested in a randomized trial where it demonstrated a 31% reduction in falls. Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging developed an American version of Stepping On with support from the CDC.
Research has found the Stepping On program:
- Reduces falls by 31%
- Results in fewer emergency department visits due to a fall
What is a Stepping On workshop?
- Small group workshop, 12 – 16 participants
- 2 hours per session, 1 session per week for 7 weeks plus a 3-month booster session
- Held in comfortable community settings
- Participants who have fallen or fear falling attend together
- Led by two trained Facilitators, who are health professionals
- Participants get peer support, learn about fall hazards around them, problem-solving strategies, discover how vision and medications affect falls risk, and practice strength and balance exercises
- Participants gain skills and confidence needed to reduce their risk of falling
Interested in Becoming a Facilitator?
Leader Trainings – March 3,4, & 5, 2025 (Leader must attend all 3 days of training to become certified)
For more information and registration click here.
If your organization would like to train 8 or more leaders, you are able to schedule a private leader training with FCNN. Please contact sam@fcnntc.org for a quote and availability.
Resources for Facilitators
Stepping On workshop materials can be found on a separate password-protected webpage. The tools and resources in this section of the website are for FCNN Facilitators. If you are interested in becoming a Facilitator, please click here.
Click to access Facilitator resources
Questions?
If you have questions about bringing a Stepping On workshop to your community, becoming a Facilitator, or would just like additional information about the program, contact Sam Sleeman, our Executive Director, at Sam@fcnntc.org and 651-204-0904.
Guest Expert Volunteers
Guest expert volunteers are a vital part of Stepping On. We are always looking for healthcare professionals who are willing to volunteer a few hours of their time to share their expertise with workshop participants. Each Stepping On workshop requires a physical therapist, a community safety expert (EMT, crossing guard, community safety officer), a pharmacist and a vision expert.
If you are interested in learning more about this professional volunteer opportunity, please contact the FCNN office at contact@fcnntc.org or 651-204-0904 for more information.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapist volunteers play a significant role in Stepping On workshops. They demonstrate the program exercises for participants and advise safe modifications to make the exercises easier or more challenging. Participants really enjoy the time they have with the PT since they participate in 3 of the 7 workshop sessions.
Community Safety Volunteers
Community safety experts volunteer during session 4 of a Stepping On workshop. They may be a community-focused police officer, crossing guard, or occupational therapist and are familiar with the road rules and pedestrian issues specific to the local area. Their purpose is to raise awareness among participants of various situations, risks, and safety alternatives when moving around in the community.
Pharmacist Volunteers
The pharmacist guest expert plays an important role in each Stepping On workshop by demonstrating how medications can increase an individual’s risk of falling and leading an informed discussion with program participants about strategies they can use when working with their doctors and pharmacists to minimize their individual risk factors. The pharmacist guest expert participates in the first half of session 5 of each workshop.
Vision Expert Volunteers
Vision specialists visit during the 5th session of a workshop. They lead an interactive discussion on the influence of vision on balance and the risk of falling and refer participants to available community services.
“What I love about volunteering for Stepping On, is that the participants are very engaged, ask meaningful questions, and really want to educate themselves. They are extremely interested on how to become more confident and safe with navigating in inclement weather, on uneven terrain, steps, etc. I hope to volunteer with this terrific program for many years to come!”
-Melissa Lage, Physical Therapist
Our evidence-based programs are supported by funding from the Live Well at Home grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. This program is also funded under contract with Trellis, Inc. as part of the Older Americans Act Program. We support evidence-based programs in partnership with Juniper, a statewide network of healthcare providers, health plans, housing providers, and community based organizations, all dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve — together.