RIVM recognizes ‘Zeker blijven lopen!’ as official fall prevention intervention

The occupational therapy group intervention ‘Zeker blijven lopen!’ (ZBL!) has been officially recognized as a valid intervention in the RIVM fall prevention register. The RIVM recognition committee praised the intervention and the professional quality of the pilot studies conducted over the past two years.

Developed through a collaboration between Ergotherapie Nederland, VeiligheidNL, and the Radboudumc Occupational Therapy Chair, ZBL! is an adaptation of the American ‘Stroll Safe’ program tailored for Dutch practice. The program aims to address challenges regarding mobility and independent aging by connecting the social domain, healthcare, and traffic safety.

Following this recognition, occupational therapists can participate in ‘train-the-trainer’ training to implement the intervention within their own municipalities.

In a related local effort, the Municipality of Gulpen Wittem is hosting an information session in Mechelen on October 7 to discuss fall prevention. The session includes risk assessments and information regarding the ‘In Balans’ intervention, which focuses on improving balance, physical condition, and confidence to prevent falls among the elderly.