Big things are brewing in San Diego — and it starts with a conversation we’ve all been avoiding for too long: senior fall risk.
In late July, the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation sat down with Rainie and Chris Ames of the Saving Claire Project, along with Maureen Phillips — retired nurse, AIS Advisory Committee member, and Director of the Jacumba Senior Center — plus a group of energized volunteers ready to become Authorized Community Presenters. The room was buzzing with one shared mission: it’s time to bring falls out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Here’s Why Senior Fall Risk Matters
Falls aren’t just an unfortunate accident that happens to “someone else.” They’re one of the most common and most costly health events facing older adults today. More than one in four older adults falls each year, and falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older Americans. A single fall-related hospital stay averages nearly $18,700, and even an ER visit alone runs over $1,100. These are costs that hit families and our healthcare system hard.
And here’s the statistic that should stop us in our tracks: falling once, even without a serious injury, doubles a person’s chance of falling again. Fear of falling can then lead to less movement, less strength, and ironically even more fall risk. It’s a cycle we can break, but only if we talk about it.
That’s exactly what the Saving Claire Project is built to do. Through dynamic storytelling, peer learning, and honest community discussion, Saving Claire opens the door to conversations we need to have with ourselves, our doctors, our families, and our friends. Before a fall happens, not after.
Because when we destigmatize falling, we make room for fall prevention. And prevention is where longevity lives. A body that stays strong, mobile, and confident isn’t just avoiding injury, it’s staying independent, active, and connected to the people and purpose.
We’re Bringing Fall Prevention to San Diego This September
Mark your calendars for September 22nd as SDSCF is proud to host the San Diego premiere of the Saving Claire documentary at the Grossmont Healthcare Auditorium from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. More details and registration information coming soon!
Here’s How You Can Jump In Right Now
| 🎤 Want to host a viewing and panel event?Bring Saving Claire to your senior center, church, community group, or organization! We’re actively looking for hosts across San Diego County who want to spark this conversation locally.Email: info@sdscf.org — Subject: “Saving Claire event” |
| 📣 Are you a storyteller, presenter, or natural community connector?We need passionate voices to help lead discussions, share experiences, and guide audiences through these powerful conversations. No experience required — just heart, honesty, and a willingness to show up for your community.Reach out to: savingclaire@amesproductions.net |
Not ready to present? Just show up. Come to the premiere. Bring a friend. Bring your mom, your neighbor, your walking group. The more voices in the room, the more powerful the ripple effect through our community.
This is bigger than one film screening. It’s about building a network of trained presenters, storytellers, and advocates across San Diego who can carry this message into every senior center, clinic, and living room in the county. Every conversation we start now is a fall we might prevent later.
Falls are common. Falls are costly. But falls are also preventable — and reducing senior fall risk starts with talking about them out loud.
Let’s get loud, San Diego. Stay tuned for premiere details, and don’t wait to reach out!
Together, we’re not just preventing falls. We’re building longer, stronger, more connected lives.