By Rich Larson
Rice County is rolling out a new fall prevention initiative aimed at helping older adults stay safe—and stay in their homes—by offering voluntary home safety assessments following certain emergency calls.
The program is a partnership between Rice County Public Health, Northfield Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Northfield Hospital + Clinics. It is modeled after a similar effort in Rochester that Northfield EMS Chief Brian Edwards said significantly reduced repeat emergency calls for falls.
Falls are one of the most common reasons EMS crews are called, according to Edwards. Last year alone, EMS responded to 554 fall-related calls across its service area, which spans parts of four counties. The average patient age was 74, and in 20% of those cases, the individual was not transported to the hospital.
“Often, people just need help getting back into a chair or bed,” he said. “But a fall is a red flag. It tells us there may be risks in the home that could be addressed.”
Under the new program, when EMS responds to a fall and the patient is not transported, crews can offer a referral to Rice County Public Health. With the patient’s consent, public health staff will arrange a home visit by trained volunteers to conduct a safety assessment. The visits are not inspections, Edwards emphasized, but supportive conversations focused on reducing fall risks.
Occupational therapist Jessica Solberg of Northfield Hospital + Clinics helped train about 20 volunteers for the program. She said falls are extremely common, with roughly one in four adults over 65 experiencing a fall each year.
“In health care, we define a fall as anytime you end up on the ground when you didn’t plan to be there,” Solberg said. “And once someone falls, it can be a turning point that leads to disability or loss of independence.”
Volunteers look for common hazards such as loose rugs, poor lighting, and high-risk bathroom setups. Simple changes—like installing grab bars, adding a shower chair, or improving lighting—can make a major difference. The assessments also include general safety checks, such as smoke detector batteries.
The program’s ultimate goal, Solberg said, is to help older adults age in place safely. Rice County Public Health will oversee case management and help connect participants with community resources, grants or low-cost solutions when changes are needed.
For residents concerned about a loved one, contact Amy Ernste Caron, theLong Term Care Unit Supervisor at Rice County Public Health: 507-332-5922. Solberg also suggested a free Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool from the University at Buffalo which can be found by clicking here.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net.
