Stepping On

Stepping On helps you increase self-confidence and self-control in situations where you are at risk of falling. It covers a range of topics, including risk factors, strength and balance exercises, home hazards, safe footwear, vision and falls, safety in public places, community mobility, coping after a fall, and how to initiate a medication review. This class meets for seven, two-hour sessions. Stepping On is led by 2 trained facilitators and incorporates local guest experts (PT/OT, Vison, Pharmacist, Community Safety) to enhance learning.

What participants say:

“When I’m walking I still think, ‘lift your feet, walk heel-to-toe.’ I have stopped falling!”

“Not only did we learn some things about preventing falls, but we had a good time doing it. It was really fun.”

“The leaders encouraged us in every way. I will recommend this course to my friends.”

Next Steps:

(1) Find a workshop to join at www.yourjuniper.org.

(2) Host a workshop at your organization in partnership with Faith Community Nurse Network.

(3) Become a leader! Find out more!

Program History

Stepping On was developed in Australia by Lindy Clemson, OT, PhD, University of Sydney, Australia. Adapted for U.S. audiences by Jane E. Mahoney, MD, University of Wisconsin-Madison and is now represented in most US states. Stepping On was first tested in a randomised trial in 2004 (Clemson 2004) with a 31% fall reduction. There are now 18 studies supporting this program. A process evaluation helped us understand key features that ensure fidelity of program implementation (Mahoney, 2016, 2017). Other studies have demonstrated behaviour change (Tiedemann 2020; Strommen 2017) and maintenance of physical outcomes (Ory 2017).