In September, Raising the Awareness of Preventing Falls
National falls prevention observances throughout the nation are being held during September to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of preventing falls, particularly in the older adult population. During September, in New Jersey, educators, caregivers, health providers and aging professionals will focus their efforts on one goal, that is preventing falls.
“Falls prevention is a team effort that takes a balance of education, intervention, and community support,” said Kathleen Cameron, Senior Director of the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) National Falls Prevention Resource Center, in a statement announcing NCOA’s 10th annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 22. “This annual coordinated celebration is an opportunity to look at the world around us, be aware of falls hazards, and take action to stay safe from falls,” says Cameron.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four persons age 65 and over fall each year. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the hospital emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, they die from a fall.
CDC says that falls are costly to both Medicare and Medicaid. In 2015, the total cost of fall injuries was $50 billion, both of these government programs shouldering 75 percent of these costs. The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may well reach $101 billion by 2030.
Raising the Awareness of the Impact of Falls
But, in the Garden State, Governor Phil Murphy proclaims September 22 through September 28, 2018 as Falls Prevention Awareness Week. It’s obvious that Murphy wants to use his bully pulpit to give more time to raise the awareness of the state’s fall prevention efforts and strategies to reduce the risk of falls for the state’s older residents.
The Governor’s proclamation, issued on September 4th, notes that the state’s aging population estimated to be 1.8 million residents over age 60 is expected to increase to 2.5 million by 2030. And, one-third of New Jersey resident over age 65 and one half of seniors over age 80 will experience a fall annually.
The proclamation notes that for New Jersey residents over age 60, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and, on an average day, in 2015, 222 older adults were admitted to a hospital or treated in an emergency room due to falls. It’s costly, too, for the state coffers. The cost to treat these fall victims rose to $1.9 billion, with the average cost per patient reaching $79,388.
Causes of falls vary, from lack of strength in the older person’s lower extremities, the use of multiple medications, reduced vision and even an unsafe home, where older persons may trip over rugs or electrical extension cords.
But, effective fall prevention programs can reduce the number of people who fall, the rate of falls, and the severity of injury, according to the World Health Organization.
Falls can be prevented by participating in balance, strengthening, and tai chi-type exercises, getting regular health and vision checkups, and modifying your living environment to make it safer.
The State’s Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services can direct you to evidence-based fall prevention programs. These state-wide programs include: A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls; The Otago Exercise Program; Project Healthy Bones and Move Today.
For more details about preventing falls, go to www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/fallprev/.