Designating September 23, 2014, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older adults.

Designating September 23, 2014, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older adults. Whereas adults who are age 65 or older (referred to in this preamble as older adults 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 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 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.

Summary: Designates September 23, 2014, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Recognizes that there are cost-effective falls prevention programs and policies. Commends the Falls Free Coalition and others for their efforts to increase awareness of falls prevention. Urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Administration for Community Living, and others to continue developing, evaluating, and promoting interventions and programs to prevent falls.