A few years ago there was a commercial whose tag line proclaimed, “I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” As we age, we are faced with a new series of problems different than those faced in our youth, the most prevalent of which is falling (sometimes fatally). Falls are becoming more and more common with the senior population, averaging 1 out of every 3 persons over the age of 65 who live independently in their own home. The numbers increase to 1 out of every 2 for those over the age of 75. The numbers become even more staggering - 70% of accidental deaths in people over the age of 75 result from falls. We are faced with an estimated $79 billion paid out in medical expenses each year as a result of falls. Yet, with the increase in medical costs, we sit and watch as our parents, grandparents, and friends suffer needlessly with little to no intervention. Are there simple solutions to this debilitating and paralyzing threat that plagues our senior population? Or do we hope and pray that our loved ones will not be another statistic.
Falls may be preventable. It takes a little work, a little planning, and sometimes a little courage. Recently, the United States Congress addressed these very issues by introducing The Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002. This bill, if passed, will allow for public funds to be used for the education of seniors in fall prevention, as well as fund the research for services to be extended under Medicare/Medicaid. Until this sweeping piece of legislation is passed, what other options do seniors and their families have to deal with this concern? First, they must understand who is at risk for a fall. Those who experience any of the following physical or environmental factors may be at risk:
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