[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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