Falls Home-Based Study

What is it?

MAC was awarded grant funds from NCOA (the National Council on Aging) through a project called the 2025 ACL Innovation Lab to create our own unique Falls Prevention Program. We came up with an in-home program combining home safety, balance and strengthening exercise, and education around preventing falls. This program is free to all participants who qualify.

What does it involve?

First, you’ll be checked to see if you qualify for the program and if MAC can offer you any helpful services. Then, a pharmacist will visit your home to review your medications, since some medicines can increase the risk of falling.

Next, a physical therapist will come to your home to check how safe it is and test your balance. These tests will help her track your progress. She’ll then create a personalized exercise plan to help you get stronger and improve your balance to prevent falls.

After that, an exercise specialist will visit your home to help you follow the exercise plan, based on the schedule on the back page.

The physical therapist will check your progress again at 60 days and 120 days by repeating the same balance tests from her first visit.

What is the purpose?

This grant is a part of a research study, to determine which elements of various existing evidence-based fall prevention programs are the most effective. MAC is one of 17 other organizations testing out various falls prevention programs in this study.

In total, there will be 1 pharmacist visit, 4 physical therapist visits, and 8 exercise specialist visits over a period of 4 months. Most visits will occur in the first two months.

If interested, contact Nancy Hedlesky at nhedlesky@macinc.org or 410-742-0505 ext. 131.