Stony Brook Southampton Hosts Falls Prevention Program to Support Healthy Aging

Held at Stony Brook Southampton, the program provides older adults on the East End with practical skills, education and resources to help them stay active, confident and independent. The eight-week session begins on Tuesday, August 25.

"The School of Health Professions, together with our faculty and students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and MS in Speech-Language Pathology programs, is proud to continue our partnership with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital in offering the S.A.F.E. Falls Prevention Program to the East End community," said Stacy Jaffee Gropack, dean of the School of Health Professions. "This program reflects our longstanding commitment to enhancing the health, wellness and independence of older adults while providing our students with valuable opportunities for interprofessional, community-based learning. We are pleased to once again bring this important service to the community and help connect residents with resources and strategies that support healthy aging."

Throughout the program, participants will:

• Build strength and improve balance through exercises designed to support mobility and stability
• Identify and manage fall risks at home and during everyday activities
• Learn strategies for staying active and independent while reducing their risk of falls
• Connect with community resources that support physical activity, social connection and overall well-being

The S.A.F.E. program combines exercise, education and practical falls prevention strategies that participants can incorporate into their everyday lives. It was developed by occupational therapy and physical therapy faculty members in Stony Brook University's School of Health Professions in partnership with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and its Trauma Center. The initiative is supported by Stony Brook Medicine's falls prevention team.

"Falls are one of the leading causes of preventable injury among older adults," said Sarah Cohen, administrator, Center for Parkinson's Disease and Falls Prevention at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. "The S.A.F.E. falls prevention workshop benefits from faculty expertise across departments and brings evidence-informed, innovative care to the East End."

Falls are a significant health and safety concern for older adults, and the program addresses an important need in communities across the East End while also creating a hands-on educational opportunity for Stony Brook students. Graduate students in the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs will lead the workshop under faculty supervision, gaining experience working directly with older adults in a community-based setting. Graduate students in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology will also provide hearing screenings as part of the program.

The S.A.F.E. program was initially launched in the summer of 2025. Last year, 24 older adults participated in an in-depth falls screening and assessment, and 12 enrolled in the first workshop. Those who were not enrolled were provided referrals to other community programs to connect them with appropriate resources. The first and last sessions of the S.A.F.E. program include a comprehensive assessment of each participant.

This year's program will meet for two hours each week, with the eight-week session running from August 25 through October 16. Classes will be held on August 25; September 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; and October 6 and 16.

Related Posts

• S.A.F.E. Falls Program Launches at Stony Brook Southampton
• Czyzyk Appointed Interim Director for Student Life at Stony Brook Southampton
• Stony Brook Southampton Hosting Black History Month Film Series