Falls prevention education supports older Chinese community in Perth
As part of RPH Research Foundation’s commitment to supporting research that improves the health and wellbeing of West Australians, Foundation Fellow Professor Anne-Marie Hill has been leading important work in falls prevention.
On 20 August 2025, the Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) worked with social work students and delivered a falls prevention education session at Chung Wah Community Care, Willetton. The session was tailored for older members of Perth’s Chinese community, demonstrating the importance of culturally responsive health education.
Two UWA Master of Social Work students, Yuening (Ning) Zhou and Shijie Zhang, presented in Mandarin to introduce the Safe Recovery Program, an individualised hospital-based falls prevention program. Professor Hill and Dr Cheng Yen Loo from WACHA also joined the event to support a community Q&A session.
As part of RPH Research Foundation’s commitment to supporting research that improves the health and wellbeing of West Australians, Foundation Fellow Professor Anne-Marie Hill has been leading important work in falls prevention.
On 20 August 2025, the Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) worked with social work students and delivered a falls prevention education session at Chung Wah Community Care, Willetton. The session was tailored for older members of Perth’s Chinese community, demonstrating the importance of culturally responsive health education.
Two UWA Master of Social Work students, Yuening (Ning) Zhou and Shijie Zhang, presented in Mandarin to introduce the Safe Recovery Program, an individualised hospital-based falls prevention program. Professor Hill and Dr Cheng Yen Loo from WACHA also joined the event to support a community Q&A session.
During their placement at WACHA, Ning and Shijie explored older Chinese people’s perspectives on the program. At the event, they explained how the program works and invited feedback, which was met with strong engagement. The positive response reinforced the value of delivering health information in ways that reflect the cultural and linguistic needs of older community members.
During their placement at WACHA, Ning and Shijie explored older Chinese people’s perspectives on the program. At the event, they explained how the program works and invited feedback, which was met with strong engagement. The positive response reinforced the value of delivering health information in ways that reflect the cultural and linguistic needs of older community members.
L-R: Ms Ning Zhou, Mr Zheng (Chung Wah Community Care Member), Mr Shijie Zhang, Professor Anne-Marie Hill
In addition to the community session, Ning and Shijie presented their placement outcomes to the WACHA team as part of their mid-placement assessment. Their presentation highlighted skills in building rapport with participants, addressing ethical considerations, and applying a social justice framework to their work with older Chinese communities. They also shared how their cultural identity enhanced their ability to engage with participants and advocate for more inclusive research and practice.
L-R: Ms Ning Zhou, Mr Zheng (Chung Wah Community Care Member), Mr Shijie Zhang, Professor Anne-Marie Hill
In addition to the community session, Ning and Shijie presented their placement outcomes to the WACHA team as part of their mid-placement assessment. Their presentation highlighted skills in building rapport with participants, addressing ethical considerations, and applying a social justice framework to their work with older Chinese communities. They also shared how their cultural identity enhanced their ability to engage with participants and advocate for more inclusive research and practice.
Back (L-R): Dr Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Ms Josephine Umbella, Dr Jo-Aine Hang, Ms Trish Starling, Ms Ning Zhou, Ms Vanessa Jessup
Front (L-R): Mr Ben Lee, Mr Shijie Zhang, Dr Cheng Yen Loo
Falls remain one of the biggest health risks for older people, and culturally tailored initiatives are essential to ensure prevention programs reach diverse communities across WA. With support from RPH Research Foundation, Professor Hill and the WACHA team will continue advancing research into falls prevention and building stronger connections with multicultural communities.
Back (L-R): Dr Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Ms Josephine Umbella, Dr Jo-Aine Hang, Ms Trish Starling, Ms Ning Zhou, Ms Vanessa Jessup
Front (L-R): Mr Ben Lee, Mr Shijie Zhang, Dr Cheng Yen Loo
Falls remain one of the biggest health risks for older people, and culturally tailored initiatives are essential to ensure prevention programs reach diverse communities across WA. With support from RPH Research Foundation, Professor Hill and the WACHA team will continue advancing research into falls prevention and building stronger connections with multicultural communities.
