One Planet and MassageMate24 launch free fall-prevention program for older adults

One Planet - One People and MassageMate24 have launched Stand Strong, a free mobility, strength and balance program with a companion app aimed at reducing falls among adults 65 and older. The rollout comes as falls remain the leading cause of injury death for older Americans and a major driver of hip fractures, hospitalizations and healthcare costs.

Why it matters: - Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among Americans age 65 and older. - In 2024, 43,020 Americans age 65 and older died from falls, according to the National Safety Council. - For adults 80 and older, the odds of falling in a given year rise to one in two. - One in four adults over 65 falls each year, and one in 10 of those falls causes a serious injury, according to the CDC. - Falls cause 83% of hip fracture deaths and 88% of hip fracture hospitalizations. - Non-fatal falls cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $80 billion a year. - Hip fracture mortality in the year after injury ranges from 20% to 27%.

What happened: - One Planet - One People and MassageMate24 launched Stand Strong, a free, research-backed mobility, strength and balance program for older adults and families. - The program includes a companion progress-tracking app available at MassageMate24.com. - The launch was announced in New York on Sept. 2, 2026. - One Planet - One People is the nonprofit founded by social responsibility entrepreneur Lyle Benjamin. - MassageMate24 is a foot therapy device Benjamin created after his own chronic pain crisis and the loss of his mother and grandfather in falls and hip fractures.

The details: - Stand Strong is built around 24 exercises across three areas: mobility, strength and balance. - The handbook requires only a sturdy chair, a wall and 15 to 20 minutes several days a week. - The exercises are grounded in peer-reviewed research and are part of One Planet - One People's Health and Wellness Quality of Life Initiatives. - The companion app adds progress reports, milestone rewards and a community network. - The program is designed for a 12- to 24-month window, which research shows produces the most lasting reduction in fall risk. - A 2025 systematic review found structured balance and strength training reduces falls by 31% to 58%. - A 2024 review of 155 studies in Healthcare found the training targets muscle weakness, impaired balance and slowed reflexes that contribute to falls. - Benjamin said the program exists so families do not have to learn the lesson the way his family did. - MassageMate24 uses a reflexology-inspired therapy sleeve that the company says complements the Stand Strong program for people with foot pain. - The company says 81% of Americans report foot pain. - MassageMate24's Give-One Program donates one device for every 10 units purchased to a veteran, an elderly individual or someone with chronic foot conditions. - The release includes a medical note advising people to consult a physician before starting any new exercise program, especially those with a history of falls, osteoporosis, joint replacement or cardiovascular disease.

Between the lines: - The launch ties a fall-prevention message to a consumer product and a nonprofit distribution model. - The pitch centers on prevention at home, where many fall risks can be addressed with low-cost exercise and consistency. - The app and donation program appear designed to improve adherence and widen access beyond paying customers. - The release relies on a mix of public-health statistics and exercise research to frame the program as evidence-based rather than promotional.

What's next: - Stand Strong is available free at MassageMate24.com. - MassageMate24 devices are also available for individual and bulk purchase at the same site. - Senior living communities, home health agencies, caregiver organizations, wellness providers and companies can inquire about bulk orders or program partnerships through the website. - One Planet - One People says its broader work includes Planned Acts of Kindness, the H.E.A.R.T. in Education program, the Benjamin DaVinci Institute, 16 Things Kids Can Do, 1POP Clubs and sustainability initiatives aligned with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The bottom line: - Stand Strong is a free, low-equipment fall-prevention effort aimed at one of the most urgent safety problems facing older Americans.