Why we exist.
Finding Foothold was created in response to a heartbreaking and preventable reality: older adults—many of them still active, independent, and deeply engaged in their communities—are experiencing life-altering falls in their own homes. Time and again, we’ve seen the same scenario unfold. Help is only called after the injury. By then, the damage is done. Families are left scrambling without guidance, overwhelmed and unsure how to support their loved ones—or themselves.
The warning signs were always there. The gaps in education, support, and access to affordable home safety changes were clear. Yet, little was being done to connect the dots—especially in underserved communities. At Finding Foothold, we believe that prevention should come before crisis. Every older adult deserves the chance to age safely at home, and every family caregiver deserves support long before burnout begins.
These were not always frail or homebound individuals. Many were still working, driving, or active in their churches and communities—until a single fall changed everything. Again and again, she arrived after the injury, offering therapy too late to prevent the physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
What struck her most was the gap: there was funding to help after a crisis, but not enough education or support before it. Especially in underserved communities, there were no proactive systems in place to teach aging adults how to protect their independence—or to show families how to prepare for caregiving without losing themselves in the process.
Finding Foothold was created to fill that gap.
We work to prevent falls before they happen, support caregivers before they burn out, and make practical strategies accessible—regardless of income. We believe seniors deserve to age safely, with dignity, and families deserve tools—not just responsibilities.
Our programs are rooted in experience, compassion, and the belief that small steps can prevent major losses.
Consuela Marshall is a licensed occupational therapist with nearly 30 years of experience in home health and rehabilitation. She is a Certified Home Accessibility Therapist, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. As a longtime family caregiver, she founded the Finding Foothold Foundation to make safety education more equitable, proactive, and accessible—especially in underserved communities. She is also the author of Fall Prevention: Planning Not to Fall.