Tools for Living Well Toolkit - Canadian Association of Occupational ...

● health care professionals (e.g. day hospital staff,
physiotherapists, occupational therapists, public health
nurses);
● local business associations or groups (e.g. hotel
associations, Chamber of Commerce);
● service clubs (Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, etc.);
● local legions; and
● church groups.
We have prepared a presentation for you to consider using
(Program Tool 1 on disk). This presentation may be modified as
appropriate for your region (e.g. include local statistics on falls,
examples of fall prevention successes in your region) and audience.
Information from this presentation may also be used for
media releases.
a) Community events
You may wish to run some community events to increase awareness
around the issue of falls and assistive devices and to highlight this
program and the businesses who support the program. Examples
include:
Chapter FOUR - Getting Started: Mobilizing Your Community
● Setting up and staffing information and demonstration
booths at seniors fairs, wellness fairs, home shows or in the
stores of participating businesses;
● Selling Christmas gift baskets which include various fall
prevention oriented items, e.g. a decorative cane, an ice
pick tip for the cane, non-slip ice grips that slip over boots.
● Running a fashion show that features fashionable canes to
go with different outfits.
4. Collect local stories
Stories and anecdotes are an important means of communication.
Collecting local stories about falls, maintaining independence, as
well as assistive devices provides a way of talking about the issues
and highlights the relevance of the program to your community.
Stories can help people develop a new way of understanding, and
reflecting and taking action on a problem. They can get people to
envision new possibilities for their community. Finally, a good story
line is what every reporter is looking for – it is an effective way of
getting media attention.
Tips:
You may wish to approach
some community
organizations and partner
with them in running these
events.
For example, a local church
group might partner with
you to run a fashion show,
or a student group might
assist with the assembly
and sales of the Christmas
baskets.
Tips:
Many large organizations (e.g.
public health departments)
will have a communications
department with professionals
who are skilled in media
relations.
Individuals working in a
communications department
in a public health department
may be potential partners for
the program if they have the
time to assist with some of the
media advocacy work.
Be sure to find out
about these important
communication resources
as you complete your
Community Profile.
Tools for Living Well
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