[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 569--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, AS ``NATIONAL
FALLS PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY'' TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGE THE
PREVENTION OF FALLS AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Mr. NELSON (for himself, Ms. Collins, Ms. Mikulski, and Mr. Sanders)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 569
Whereas adults who are age 65 or older (referred to in this
preamble as ``older adults'') are the fastest-growing
population in the United States;
Whereas the number of older adults in the United States is
expected to increase from 35,000,000 older adults in 2000 to
79,700,000 older adults in 2040;
Whereas each year, 1 out of every 3 older adults in the
United States falls;
Whereas falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal
injuries among older adults;
Whereas in 2012, more than 2,400,000 older adults were
treated in hospital emergency departments for fall-related
injuries, and more than 722,000 older adults were
subsequently hospitalized from such injuries;
Whereas in 2011, more than 22,900 older adults in the
United States died from injuries related to unintentional
falls;
Whereas in 2010, the total direct medical cost of fall-
related injuries for older adults, adjusted for inflation,
was $30,000,000,000;
Whereas between 2004 and 2014, the rate of death from falls
of older adults in the United States has risen sharply;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimate that if the rate of increase in falls does not
decrease, the annual cost of injuries from falls will reach
an estimated $67,700,000,000 by 2020; and
Whereas evidence-based programs show promise in reducing
falls by utilizing cost-effective strategies, such as
exercise programs to improve balance and strength, medication
management, vision improvement, comprehensive clinical
assessments, and reduction of home hazards: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates September 23, 2014, as ``National Falls
Prevention Awareness Day'';
(2) recognizes that there are proven, cost-effective falls
prevention programs and policies;
(3) commends the 72 member organizations of the Falls Free
Coalition, and the falls prevention coalitions in 42 States
and the District of Columbia, for their efforts to work
together to increase education and awareness about preventing
falls among adults who are age 65 or older (referred to in
this resolution as ``older adults'');
(4) encourages businesses, individuals, Federal, State, and
local governments, the public health community, and health
care providers to work together to raise awareness of falls
in an effort to reduce the incidence of falls among older
adults in the United States;
(5) urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
continue developing and evaluating interventions to prevent
falls among older adults that will translate into effective
community-based falls prevention programs;
(6) urges the Administration for Community Living, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and their
partners to continue to promote evidence-based programs and
services in communities across the United States to reduce
the number of older adults at risk of falling;
(7) encourages State health departments and State Units on
Aging, which provide significant leadership in reducing
injuries and related health care costs, to collaborate with
organizations and individuals to reduce falls among older
adults in the United States; and
(8) encourages experts in the field of falls prevention to
share best practices so that others can replicate their
success.
Mr. NELSON. Mr. President, today, I wish to bring awareness to the
growing problem of falls amongst our seniors, the fastest-growing
population in the United States. Each year, one out of every three
older Americans over age 65 falls, resulting in more than 2,400,000
older hospital emergency department visits and more than 22,900 deaths
resulting from injuries sustained in unintentional falls. The costs
associated with these falls are equally alarming: in 2010, the direct
medical cost of fall-related injuries for older adults was
$30,000,000,000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimate that if the rate of falls does not decrease, the annual cost
of injuries resulting from falls will reach an estimated
$67,700,000,000 by 2020.
These staggering numbers are alarming, and we must work to reduce the
incidence of falls among older adults by utilizing cost-effective
strategies to improve balance and strength through exercise programs,
improve comprehensive clinical assessments, and reduce hazards in
seniors' homes. That is why today I have put forth this Resolution to
designate September 23, 2014, as National Falls Prevention Awareness
Day. I thank my colleagues, Senator Collins, my partner on the Senate
Special Committee on Aging, and Senators Mikulski and Sanders for
joining with me in support of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day.
National Falls Prevention Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness and
encourage the prevention of falls among older adults. The 72 member
organizations of the Falls Free Coalition and the falls prevention
coalitions in 42 States and the District of Columbia have worked
tirelessly to increase education and awareness about preventing falls
among older Americans. We will continue to foster and encourage these
coalitions and ensure the safety and independence of our older adults
as they age in their homes.
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