Every year, one in four older adults accidentally falls and harms themselves, sometimes fatally. A CDC initiative called STEADI-Rx (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries) aims to reduce the risk of falls by encouraging more collaboration between pharmacists and other health care providers.1www.cdc.gov/steadi/steadi-rx.htmlGoogle Scholar STEADI-Rx helps older adults understand their fall risks and prevent incidents for themselves and others. Community pharmacies are an ideal setting to implement fall prevention services and manage high-risk medications for older adults at risk for falls. The portion of the U.S. population at risk for falls is projected to grow by nearly 30% by 2030. Many of these cases are caused by adverse effects of medications, such as dizziness, confusion, dehydration, sedation, and altered reaction times. In addition, the more medications an older adult takes, the more likely they are to fall. If an older adult takes four or more medications, this automatically places them at increased risk of falls, especially if they are taking one high-risk medication.2Leipzig RM et al.J Am Geriatr Soc. 1999; 47: 40-50Crossref PubMed Scopus (523) Google Scholar The sidebar below lists common medication classes that contribute to falls in older adults. To successfully implement a fall prevention service into the routine workflow of a community pharmacy, appropriate training and resources are needed. A team-based approach maximizes success. Research conducted in a network of community pharmacies in North Carolina demonstrates the importance of training. Pharmacies were provided with onboard and longitudinal training and a project coach. A toolkit contained resources to collect medication information, identify high-risk medications, develop and share recommendations with prescribers, market the service, and educate patients. Tabled 1High-risk medication classes that contribute to an increased risk of fallsAnticonvulsantsAntiparkinsonian agentsAcetylcholinesterase inhibitorsAntipsychoticsAntiarrhythmicsAntispasmodicsAnticoagulants and antiplateletsBenzodiazepinesAntidepressantsNSAIDsAntidiabetic agentsOpioidsAntihistamines (first generation)Sedative hypnoticsAntihypertensivesTricyclic antidepressants Open table in a new tab Participants found that comprehensive onboard training was rated more useful than longitudinal training. Resources to identify high-risk medications, develop recommendations, and share recommendations with prescribers were considered most useful.3Robinson JM et al.Pharmacy. 2019; 7: E113Crossref Google Scholar An algorithm for fall risk screening, assessment, and care coordination is available on CDC's website to assist community pharmacies with the process.4www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/provider/steadi-rx/STEADIRx-Algorithm-508.pdfGoogle Scholar Tabled 1Three key STEADI-Rx questions1. Have you fallen in the past year?2. Do you feel unsteady when standing or walking?3. Do you worry about falling? Open table in a new tab Counsel older adults to reduce their risk of falling by ▪Telling their provider if they have had a recent fall (fewer than half of older adults who have experienced a fall report it to their doctor)▪Discussing medication changes with their provider to reduce risk of falls▪Having their gait, strength, and balance measured by their primary provider or geriatric specialist▪Getting their vision checked once a year by an eye doctor▪Trying programs like Tai Chi that can improve balance and strengthen leg muscles▪Making the home safer by getting rid of fall hazards, such as throw rugs▪Learning about the potential value of calcium and vitamin D supplementation For more information on the initiative and resources for preventing falls in older patients, see www.cdc.gov/steadi/steadi-rx.html. Pharmacists have tremendous opportunities to interact with older patients about fall risks, help identify high-risk individuals, and educate these individuals and their caregivers on ways to prevent falls.