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WHY IT MATTERS
14 Million Older Americans Fall Every Year
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Of these, more than half—or 9 million people every year—require medical treatment or restricted activity.
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Falls are the leading cause of injury—and injury-related death among older adults; killing 39,000 every year.
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A fall often heralds the end of independence for an older adult, and results in chaos for them and their families.
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Falling once doubles the chances of falling again.
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Fall-related injuries cost Medicare more than 53 billion dollars every year; almost 10% of its entire budget.
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The cost in pain and misery is impossible to overstate.
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Falls are the type of call first responders get the most, and create an enormous burden on cities and counties.
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And it’s getting worse, every year: the death rate from falls has increased 41% since 2012.
The Saving Claire Project
Saving Claire is the story of 70 year-old playwright Linda Goldman,
her character Claire, the complex nature of aging, the challenges
of change, the attitudes that can lead to a fall, and the paths to action that allow people to improve and enhance their lives and reduce risk
We Change How People Think
Saving Claire Works Because It's Different
We use our storytelling model to:
Engage With relatable stories, people realize they could fall, too
Empower People to take easy steps now to reduce risk
Connect Professionals and resources in the community
Our post-event survey results show that
people then commit to taking an action
Our simple and easy to use comprehensive system
provides an instantly effective Fall Prevention program.
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Powerful storytelling and a proven program
engage and empower participants to prevent falls
The Simple, Effective
Saving Claire Two-Step Process
We make fall prevention accessible and effective.
Our approach bypasses defensive barriers through compelling storytelling, then equips you with a comprehensive risk reduction program.
Step One: Watch Saving Claire
The Saving Claire documentary is the heart of our project. We train presenters to manage the program. We use the universal human language—storytelling—to connect with participants on an emotional level, making them ready to change and be proactive about safety. This works. The proof is in our data.
The Saving Claire Toolkit
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All Four Versions of The Saving Claire Film
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Project Planning & Management Tools
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Client Surveys, Safety Checklists, and Action Plans
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Specialized Occupational Therapy Content
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Accessible Strength and Balance Exercise Videos
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Comprehensive Presenter Training
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Robust Tracking and Monitoring
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Saving Claire Fall Prevention Resource Center
Audience Feedback
91%
"Saving Claire was
effective or highly effective
in providing practical advice
for fall prevention
Saving Claire Increased My Understanding & Awareness of:
After Seeing Saving Claire I Now Intend To:
84%
Start A Regular Exercise Program
74%
Get My Hearing Checked
72%
Review My Current Medications
74%
Get My Walking & Balance Assessed
84%
Get My Vision Checked
66%
Get A Home Safety Evaluation
Organic Growth
We have grown entirely based on word of mouth.
People attend a Saving Claire event, they see the Project working,
and they bring the Project to their own community.
Where we started
Two Events, One County
Where we are
19 States
3 Countries
100+ Cities
34 Counties
50+ Expert Presenters
More than100 Screening Events
in the last 12 months
and more every week
The Saving Claire Community
Virginia, Maryland & Washington, DC
Saving Claire has partnered with the Center for Optimal Aging at Marymount University and the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance on a series of highly successful community events, both virtual and in-person. Marymount shared the positive impact of the partnership at this year's National Council on Aging annual conference Age+Action 2025.
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This partnership will expand to all of Virginia, Maryland, DC & other communities in 2026.
Duval & Clay Counties, Florida
Saving Claire has partnered with Aging True to create the Aging With Grace, Thriving In Place Project.
The collaboration has produced dozens of community events and 250 individual Occupational Therapist home visits where the Saving Claire film was shown to clients to support understanding of the goals and importance of the OT fall risk assessment.
The Saving Claire--Aging True Partnership will continue in 2025-2026 with multiple community events with a focus on Aging True Meals on Wheels clients, congregate dining sites, and Aging True's Senior residences.
"The events were very popular and the participants were engaged. Evaluations provided the following feedback:
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100% of the participants are “extremely likely” to attend an event like this in the future.
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100% of the participants report that they are “extremely likely” to make changes in their homes to prevent falls.​​
Nicole Egan, MSH, Director of Care Services for Aging True
Chautauqua Institution
Saving Claire was featured at the acclaimed Chautauqua Institution in July 2025. Presenting Sponsor Lisa Kearney, OT, who has hosted successful community events in Kentucky and been featured on local Public Television, brought her valuable experience to this prestigious event.
Central Coast California
The San Luis Obispo Village has joined the Saving Claire community. The SLO Village hosts an event with Adventist Hospital in September 2025, & expands through their region as part of our collaboration with The Village to Village Network.
Greenbelt, Maryland
Greenbelt, Maryland joins the Saving Claire Project community in Fall 2025, following their participation in a neighboring community's event.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia-based Aurora Independence founder Dawn Heiderscheidt organized an event for a local township's senior center. The town's media crew recorded the event and posted the discussion.
Georgia OT Students
Chattahoochee Community College Occupational Therapy Professor and Saving Claire Presenting Sponsor Katie Liles has introduced the program to her OTA students, integrating our vital work into their studies.
Tampa YMCA
The 10 locations of the Tampa Bay YMCA will launch The Saving Claire Project with four large community events in Fall 2025, continuing with six more events and virtual screenings in 2025-2026. This partnership significantly expands our reach in the region.
Minnesota
Allison Bakke, founder of Above & Beyond Senior Services in Minneapolis, MN, shared her success stories at the quarterly meeting of all of the state's area agency on aging organizations with the Minnesota Board on Aging. In just their first few months, Allison and her team have conducted 20 events for 600+ people, showcasing their dedication and effectiveness.
Missouri
Kristen Leinhop, Founder of Limitless At Home Therapy in Kansas City, presents the Saving Claire Project at the annual Show Me Summit on Aging & Health in September.
Stockton University
The school will be incorporating Saving Claire into their Health Care and Social Sciences curriculums after a successful presentation at their Stockton Center for Successful Aging Festival.
Oklahoma
Helen Bryce, Founder of Unlimited Living Solutions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, presents the Saving Claire Project at the annual Oklahoma Occupational Therapy Association gathering in October.
Marymount University will present the Saving Claire Project at the 2025 Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting
What Our Partners, Collaborators and Presenters Say About Saving Claire
"I highly recommend using Saving Claire to everyone who works with older adults!”
Sara Pappa, Ph.D., MCHES
Marymount University Center for
Optimal Aging
"I must tell you that I think you have a real winner with Saving Claire”
Don Ryan
Director of Partnerships
Rebuilding Together, Arlington, VA
“I’ve done more than 20 events and have never seen anything like it for opening people’s minds to how they can help themselves.”
Allison Bakke, DPT
Founder, Above & Beyond Senior Services
Minneapolis, MN
“The Saving Claire message is powerful. I would jump at the chance to help promote it at any turn.”
Bruce Cathcart, PT, MPT
Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
“A highly effective tool to engage our community with fall prevention education and action. I am pleased to use it and recommend its use.”
Brett Schlatterer, Fire Chief
Pinellas Park Fire Department
Pinellas Park, FL
“Our falls-free coalition enthusiastically supports Saving Claire”
Arlene Grosso
Founder
Falls Free Florida
Saving Claire Works Thanks to a Growing Network of Dedicated Professionals and their Communities
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Mayo Clinic
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UF Health
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Minnesota Board On Aging
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Marymount University
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Virginia Department of Health
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City of Greenbelt, Maryland
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San Luis Obispo Village
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Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Alliance
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City of Jacksonville, Florida
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Aging True Senior Services
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Falls Free Florida
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City of Pinellas Park, FL
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Pinellas County E911
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Palm Beach County Area Agency on Aging
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Tampa Bay YMCA
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Florida Physical Therapy Association
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Adventist Health
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Contact us for a complete list