Finding A Foothold
Helping older adults and caregivers prevent falls, reduce injuries, and improve independence and safety at home.
Preventing Falls, Supporting Caregivers, Strengthening Independence.
Finding a Foothold Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to serving underserved seniors, caregivers, and families across the greater Baton Rouge area — helping them prevent falls, stay independent, and age safely at home. For those outside the Baton Rouge region, professional consulting and education services are available through our sister company, Finding a Foothold LLC.
MISSION
Empowers underserved communities by providing education and training for older adults and family caregivers — delivering comprehensive fall prevention initiatives to enhance safety, promote independence, and help individuals remain safely in their homes for as long as possible.
Impact
2025 was the year of building.
2026 is the year of doing.
In 2025, Finding Foothold Foundation focused on formation, relationship-building, and listening. Through more than a dozen community events, outreach tables, volunteer gatherings, and partnerships, we shared our mission, identified critical gaps, and heard directly from older adults, caregivers, and community partners about what was missing in fall prevention education and support.
Those efforts shaped everything that comes next.
In 2026, we are moving from awareness to action — launching community-based fall prevention workshops, expanding caregiver education and caregiver injury prevention training, and partnering with housing communities, churches, libraries, healthcare organizations, and local partners across the Baton Rouge metropolitan area.
As this work unfolds, our impact is developing in real time. In the first quarter of 2026, multiple fall prevention workshops are confirmed and scheduled, with additional workshops planned for the second and third quarters of the year. While these programs directly serve older adults, their reach extends further — increasing awareness and alignment among caregivers, healthcare professionals, housing leaders, and community organizations so that fall prevention becomes a shared, proactive priority that involves the entire community, rather than a reactive response.
Our work is rooted in a simple belief:
Older adults deserve education before a fall — not after one.
Caregivers deserve support before injury — not burnout.
Why It Matters:
Keeping Older Adults Safe and Caregivers Protected Is Critical to Our Growing Older Population and Growing Number of Family Caregivers
Falls are changing the health and wellness of families. Many adult children worry about their parents’ safety but overlook their own. Our programs teach simple ways to reduce fall risks and prevent caregiver injuries through safer daily techniques and home setup.
Falls change lives.
9 out of 10 older adults want to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
Yet only a small percentage take proactive steps to make their homes safer.
Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the ER for a fall.
1 in 4 experiences a fall each year, often leading to injury or loss of independence.
Many adult children worry about their aging parents falling but don’t know where to start.
Falls are not a normal part of aging — most are preventable.
With education and home safety evaluations, many older adults make changes that lower fall risks.
Fall prevention takes planning, and many low-cost options can make a big difference.
Falls are a leading cause of family members becoming instant caregivers.
Caregiver injuries and burnout is happening.
Over 53 million Americans provide unpaid care for loved ones.
1 in 5 caregivers experiences an injury while assisting with mobility or daily care.
Repeated lifting and constant demands lead to back pain, fatigue, and stress.
Nearly 60% say their own health has declined due to caregiving.
Small home changes and safer techniques can reduce injury, save time, and free energy for self-care.
Caregiver safety takes planning — when caregivers are supported, everyone benefits.
Did You Know…
In 2023, more than 8,900 fall-related hospitalizations were reported in Louisiana among adults aged 55 and older—many of them preventable.
Behind each number is a story of lost independence, caregiver strain, and a reminder that prevention saves lives.
Finding Foothold Foundation was created to change that, reaching people before the fall, not just after.
Community Impact and Events: Empowering and Equipping
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![Finding A Foothold Foundation participating as a resource vendor at a community outreach event sponsored by the East Baton Rouge Parish Seniors Housing Authority.]()
EBR Housing Authority Outreach and Healthfair. April 2025.
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![Finding A Foothold Foundation presenting as a guest speaker at the Senior Spring Expo, April 2025, where more than 800 seniors attended this fall prevention and community outreach event.]()
Guest Speaker at EBR Council on Aging and SALT Senior Spring EXPO. April 2025.
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![Consuela Marshall of Finding A Foothold Foundation speaking on fall prevention to business leaders at the Zachary Rotary Club with the club president standing beside her..]()
Guest speaker at the City of Zachary Rotary Club. May 2025.
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![Finding A Foothold Foundation guest speaker presenting online at the Florida Fall Prevention Coalition meeting, based on the book Fall Prevention: Planning Not to Fall.]()
Online Presentation to the Florida Fall Prevention Coalition. April 2025.
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![Consuela Marshall, occupational therapist and owner of Finding Foothold LLC, presenting a poster on preparing caregivers for the physical decline in late-stage dementia at the ALTER Dementia Summit, Atlanta, Georgia, April 2025.]()
Poster Presentation on the Preparing Caregivers for the Physical Decline That Occurs in Late Stages of Dementia. The Alter Dementia Summit. Atlanta Georgia. April 2025.
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![Finding A Foothold Foundation guest speaker hosting a fall prevention talk and book signing at a local assisted living community.]()
Guest Speaker and Book Signing at Assisted Living Community. January 2025.
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Guest Speaker at WBR Fall Educational Event
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City of Baker Rotary Club July 2025
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Speaker at EBRCOA Healthy Aging Conference
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Volunteers are an important and appreciated!
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Featured Speaker for Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area online webinar Nov. 2025.
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Invited to be a resource for caregivers attending the independent film on Alzheimer’s, “MaMa Joe”, shown at Manship Theater. Nov 2025
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Community Health Fair at local church, November 2025.
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![Attending LA Nonprofit Alliance Conference in New Orleans]()
Attending LA Nonprofit Alliance Conference in New Orleans. Dec 2025
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Participated In Toy Drive, Volunteering Through Baker Rotary Club. Dec. 2025.
Our Services: Fall Prevention and Caregiver Training
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🟤 Workshops & Webinars
Interactive sessions—offered both in person and online—that teach fall prevention, caregiver safety, and practical ways to create safer homes.
Completion of a workshop or webinar may be required before scheduling an in-home safety assessment -
🟤 Home Safety Assessments
Professional evaluations that identify safety risks, recommend affordable home modifications, and provide access to low-cost adaptive equipment to improve safety and independence.
Eligibility for assessments is determined by the Foundation based on individual need and program funding availability.
Partner with us.
The Finding A Foothold Foundation collaborates with churches, senior centers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to expand fall prevention and caregiver education across Louisiana.
If your organization would like to host a workshop or explore partnership opportunities, we’d love to connect.
Support Our Mission.
Your gift helps us reach underserved older adults and caregivers with fall prevention education, home safety resources, and caregiver support. Every contribution helps families live safely and independently at home and part of their community for as long as possible.
OUR VISION
Our vision is a society where the valued aging/senior individuals can experience autonomy and fulfillment as they age in place for as long as possible in their homes and community, where family caregivers are empowered to provide support and care in a manner that also allows for nurturing their own well-being, minimizing overwhelm and burnout.
What People Are Saying:
“Fall Prevention is important…”
— Hear her story.
“This is so needed. We get so many calls about our older members being hospitalized after falls.”
— Local Pastor
You gave me ideas no one else mentioned. I’m already making changes at home.”
— Older Adult, Community Event.
“I never thought I would fall, it has changed my life. I wish I had known these things beforehand.”
— Older Adult, after a fall.
Watch • Read • Listen
Practical Guidance for Caregivers and Safer Living at Home
We’re here to encourage and inspire you.
Supporting safer, healthy well-being.
Discover real-world tips, encouragement, and stories for caregivers and older adults.
Our 60+ Audio Podcast Episodes continue to offer timeless insight into caregiving and aging well — and with the launch of the Finding A Foothold Foundation, we’re relaunching our podcast and expanding our reach with new Finding A Foothold Care videos on YouTube.
Follow and subscribe for more conversations, guidance, and step-by-step resources to help you and your loved ones live safely and confidently at home.
Fall Prevention Book
Written from my over 25 years of firsthand experience in home health, this book weaves together real-life stories and practical tips to help aging adults and their families understand the hidden risks in everyday tasks.
Whether it’s stepping out of the shower or reaching for something high, a single misstep can change everything.
This book is a call to plan ahead—before a fall forces the conversation.
Finding Foothold LLC
Finding Foothold LLC – Speaking & Consulting
Alongside our nonprofit programs, Finding Foothold LLC provides professional opportunities for collaboration through speaking engagements, training sessions, and individualized consultations.
These services extend the same mission of fall prevention and caregiver education to organizations and families beyond our community-funded programs.
AWARDS + FEATURES
North BR Chamber Member
North BR Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year
National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
Certified Aging In Place Specialists
The Whole Care Network Member
Former Caring Across Generations Fellow
Certified Geriatric Care Professional
Finding A Foothold Podcast Voted #31 out of 70 Caregiver Podcasts
Certifed Home Accessibility Therapist