Falls Prevention Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about the potential outcomes of falls, reduce the likelihood of falls, and help older adults overcome their fear of falling.
The 17th annual national observance is from September 23 to 27. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), this year’s theme is “From Awareness to Action. ”
“Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death among adults ages 65 and over,” reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The impact report from 2023 indicates that 40 states participated in Falls Prevention Awareness Week, reaching over 3 million individuals through various methods such as education, falls risk screening, advocacy, and digital and traditional media.
The breadth of awareness is crucial as “more than 1 in 4 older adults fall each year, leading to 41,000 deaths, 3.6 million emergency department visits, and 1.2 million hospital stays,” reports the CDC.
Research indicates that falling has significant consequences, leading to a decline in independence and quality of life. If a person remains on the floor for over an hour, they are at a higher risk of sustaining severe injuries, requiring hospitalization, and eventually transitioning to long-term care, reports Delta Connect, a lifeline and telecare service.
Every year falls among older adults lead to approximately $80 billion in medical expenses, with Medicare covering two-thirds of these costs.
Still, evidence-based interventions that focus on specific risk factors for falling have been proven to lessen falls and enhance self-confidence regarding falls. These interventions include six measures for preventing falls: communicate with your family, consult with your doctor, assess your medications, ensure the safety of your home, locate a suitable exercise program, and attend to your vision and hearing.
“Everyone can take steps to prevent falls,” states NCOA.
Delta Connect posted on September 19, expanding on some of the measures to help prevent falls:
- To keep your home safe, remove things you can trip over, like rugs and loose cables. Also, make sure your home is well-lit, especially at night.
- Wear sturdy shoes: choose shoes with good support and non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers or walking around in socks.
- Stay active: gentle exercises like walking or stretching can help strengthen your muscles and improve balance, which helps prevent falls.
- Use handrails: Always hold the handrail when going up or down the stairs. If you need help installing one, ask your local authority for support.
- Get regular health check-ups: regular eye tests and medication reviews can help catch issues that might make you more prone to falling, like poor vision or dizziness.
