Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, PSS is launching a comprehensive falls prevention program in 2026, aimed at decreasing a leading cause of injury-related death and hospitalization among older New Yorkers through expanded access to high-quality training and support.
Building Balance for Improved Falls Prevention in NYC and Surrounding Boroughs will greatly expand on the existing falls prevention training PSS offers through its 10 Older Adult Centers, two senior residences, and a lifelong learning program.
The grant allows PSS to hire a full-time trainer to implement evidence-based falls prevention classes — such as A Matter of Balance, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention, and Stepping On. Older adults (60+) and adults with disabilities in all five boroughs will be served.
“The Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation is excited to help launch this important falls prevention program which has the potential to reach so many older adults in New York City. The program will bring evidence-based falls prevention classes to participants both in-person and in their homes. Importantly, clients will have consistent access to targeted instruction which can improve health outcomes and address a leading cause of injury and hospitalization,” said Foundation Executive Director Jessica Keuskamp.
The growing public health crisis of falls among older New Yorkers disproportionately affects residents in low-income communities, such as The Bronx. The accessible hybrid model blends in-person and virtual participation.
“This effort represents a major step forward in safeguarding the health, independence and quality of life of New York City’s older adults,” said PSS Executive Director Rimas Jasin. “The goal is to reduce the number of self-reported falls by 20%.”
Participants will also benefit from PSS’s wraparound support — including social services, complementary PSS Life University courses, and an innovative AI-supported texting coach to reinforce healthy behaviors and falls prevention strategies.
“Learning how to prevent a fall for you or for someone you care about can be a life-changing lesson,” said Jenny Pisani, Director of PSS Life University. “Falls prevention is already a topic of great interest among our learning community and we look forward to reaching even more individuals through this effort.”