Today is officially the first day of fall! CDC, in conjunction with the National Council on Aging (NCOA), also celebrates the 10th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day (#FPAD2017). Each year, more than one in four older adults aged 65 and older will fall. Among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury. This represents 29 million falls, 3 million emergency department (ED) visits, 800,000 hospitalizations, and 28,000 deaths.
As the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, falls will continue to soar as America’s baby boomers grow older. These falls are also costly. Annual Medicare costs for falls in 2014 were over $31 billion. Although falls are common, they can be prevented using effective clinical and community strategies.
STEADI & Older Adult Fall Prevention
In response to this growing threat to older adults’ safety, health, and independence, CDC developed the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) initiative to help clinicians incorporate fall prevention into their regular practice. In support of Falls Prevention Awareness Day, CDC recently updated the STEADI Toolkit and resources. The STEADI toolkit includes a revised and revamped suite of materials for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to help prevent falls.
To prevent falls, CDC encourages healthcare providers to:
- Screen for fall risk,
- Assess modifiable risk factors, and
- Intervene to reduce risk using effective clinical and community strategies.
Information and resources are available for healthcare providers who want to learn more about how to screen, assess, and intervene to reduce fall risk. CDC also developed a suite of FREE online training courses that offer continuing education for members of the healthcare team (e.g., physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists).
Increasing Awareness About How to Prevent Falls
Falls are preventable. There are steps we can all take to help safeguard older Americans so they stay healthy, active, and independent longer.
Spread the Word in Your Community
Facebook
- It’s Falls Prevention Awareness Day! Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence, but the good news is that they can be prevented. Learn how you can reduce your risk of falling. www.cdc.gov/steadi #FPAD2017
Twitter
- DYK: Falls are the leading cause of both fatal & nonfatal injuries among older adults aged 65 yrs & over. #FPAD2017 www.cdc.gov/steadi
- Make fall prevention part of your clinical practice. Screen patients 65+ for falls, assess risks, & intervene. go.usa.gov/xRFrD #FPAD2017
Learn More About Older Adult Falls
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