Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Injury Prevention Office
- Project Title: Injury Prevention Program
- Program Representative Interviewed: Jocelyn Parker, Injury Prevention Coordinator
- Location: White Eagle, Oklahoma
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Program Overview: The Ponca Tribe Injury Prevention Office is based out of the White Eagle
Health Center. The goal of the Ponca Injury Prevention program is to reduce falls among Ponca Tribe
community members aged 55 years and older. The program is multi-faceted and includes activities related to
home modification, risk assessments, exercise-based fall prevention, and community education.
To increase safety of homes, the program works with contractors to install fall prevention devices for older adults, including grab bars, handrails, and night lights. Following the home modification, program staff conduct a follow-up assessment to ensure that everything is working properly and that any outstanding needs are met. The follow-up assessment also includes a vision check for the participant and, if necessary, a referral to a healthcare provider.
The Ponca Injury Prevention program also organizes evidence-based fall prevention exercise classes, such as SilverSneakers, Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, and Bingocize. The program purchased electronic tablets so that participants can join both in person and virtually.
Finally, the Ponca Injury Prevention program educates the community about fall prevention. For example, the program organizes community events to promote Falls Prevention Awareness Week and distributes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fall prevention resources.