Aims: To identify characteristics of older adults who contact first responders after a fall, understand experiences of fallers and first responders regarding fall incidents, and explore strategies for fall prevention education and intervention. Method: In this mixed-methods study 471 fall incident reports were quantitatively analyzed for demographic and fall incident information, and qualitative data were collected and analyzed from focus groups and telephone interviews with older adult fallers and first responders. Results: The majority of fallers were female (62%), the average age was 81, and nearly half (47%) were alone during the fall incident. Polypharmacy was present for a majority of the older adult fallers, with 47% taking five or more medications. Mechanical (57%) and medical (29%) factors were primary contributors to falls. Fallers reported feeling increased vulnerability, depression, frustration, and self-blame after falling. First responders reported challenges communicating with older adult fallers and with care facility staff when assisting residents who had fallen. Conclusions: Older adults who fall may benefit from services and supports from first responders and health professionals to help reduce fall risk and maintain independence despite falling. ). Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank Dominican University of California and the Department of Occupational Therapy for their commitment to academic research. We would also like to acknowledge the Novato Fire Protection District for their collaboration and support throughout this research process. We would like to especially thank Ted Peterson, the Battalion Chief, for his guidance and commitment to this study. Additionally, we acknowledge Patricia Reyes, the evaluation consultant, for her feedback and suggestions regarding our methodology. Lastly, we are very grateful for the time, energy, and unique perspectives our participants offered in order to make this study a possibility.

Ramsey, for her guidance, support, encouragement, and enthusiasm throughout our thesis process. We would also like to acknowledge Ted Peterson, NFD Battalion Chief and Director of EMS, Keri Hamby, NFD firefighter/paramedic, and Patricia Reyes, the evaluation consultant, for their time and support in our research study. A special thank you to the residents and staff from the care facilities and the first responders from the Novato Fire District for their participation in this research study. We would also like to thank our research assistants for their help in data entry and transcriptions. I, Monica Fernandez, would like to thank God for giving me the strength to overcome all the obstacles that I have encountered during this journey, for allowing me to accomplish my goals, and providing me with many blessings along the way. After endless days of hard work and sleepless nights I am grateful for finally ending this chapter of my life. I owe my deepest gratitude to the most important people in my life, my wonderful parents, Cecilia Mendez and Cristobal Fernandez, for their unconditional love, endless support, and always giving their everything to help me become a better human being. In addition, I would like to specially thank my amazing siblings, Cristina Fernandez and Cristobal Fernandez Jr., for their exceptional guidance, assistance, and love through this process. I am also grateful for my awesome roommates/sisters, Kristina Mohler and Faatuaiitaua Tunai, for giving me an extreme amount of love and support to accomplish this goal. Thank you to my dearest friend, Estela Trujillo, for always being by my side through my best and worst times in college. In addition, I would like to thank my friends and acquaintances who have made a difference in my life and in one way or v another have encouraged me to get this far. Last but not least, I would like to thank my thesis partners, Anita Hin and Chelsea Prado, for being so patient and understanding. They are the best thesis partners ever. I, Anita Hin, would like to thank God for His grace in sustaining me throughout these past few years of graduate school and challenging me to grow and mature in ways that I would never have imagined. I am extremely thankful for my parents who have exemplified diligence, dedication, and perseverance in all that they do. I cannot thank them enough for the love, care, and support throughout all these years. Additionally, I would like to thank my sisters for always making me laugh and forcing me to take muchneeded breaks. Special thanks to my church family, especially the girls in my small group, for their continued support, words of encouragement, and prayers throughout every step of the way. Scott, thank you for always being there to listen, cheer me on, make me laugh, and pray for me during the good and difficult times. Your love and patience means so much to me. I would also like to thank my classmates for all the wonderful memories that we've shared. I could not have asked for a better class to be a part of! And lastly, I would like to...