[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE NEVADA GOES FALL FREE COALITION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the Nevada Goes Fall Free Coalition on the occasion of the 
Nevada Fall Prevention Day.
  The Nevada Goes Fall Free Coalition has fostered community 
partnerships across the aging and disabilities service network to 
provide education and fall prevention programs to local residents.
  Nevada Fall Prevention Day is sponsored by the Nevada Goes Fall Free 
Coalition; a community based task force supported by the National 
Council on Aging.
  The Coalition was formed to promote collaboration among members, to 
bring awareness to this issue, to promote the effectiveness of risk 
factor identification and intervention, and to work toward the 
implementation of the 36 strategies contained within the National 
Action Plan.
  It is estimated that nearly 12 percent of Nevadans are over the age 
of 65. Additionally, it is estimated that in the United States one-
third of all people over the age of 65 will fall each year. 
Furthermore, over half of the seniors over the age of 80 will fall each 
year. This would result in medical costs that would exceed $27 billion 
annually.
  Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among people over the 
age of 65 and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital 
admissions for trauma.
  Falling and the fear of falling, can lead to depression, 
hopelessness, loss of mobility, and loss of functional independence. 
However, falls and injuries from falls are largely a preventable 
community health problem.
  As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it 
gives me immense pride to recognize the Nevada Goes Fall Free Coalition 
on the occasion of the Nevada Fall Prevention Day.

                          ____________________