On November 18, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a bill (S. 1217) designed to prevent elder falls. Sponsored by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), the legislation would direct the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to implement a national public education campaign directed to older adults, their families, and health care providers that focuses on reducing falls among older adults.
The Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act also would authorize the secretary to conduct research on improving the identification of older adults at risk of falling; improving data collection and analysis of fall risk; designing, implementing, and evaluating the most effective fall prevention interventions; improving strategies that are effective in reducing falls; and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of fall victims. The secretary would be authorized to award grants to establish a variety of demonstration projects designed to prevent elder falls.
Finally, S. 1217 would require the secretary to review the effects of elder falls on health care costs, the potential for reducing falls, and the most effective strategies for reducing health care costs associated with falls.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) noted the importance of preventing elder falls: “A fall can have a devastating impact on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental health. If an older woman loses her footing on her front porch steps, falls, and suffers a hip fracture, she would likely spend about two weeks in the hospital, and there is a 50 percent chance that she would not return home or live independently as a result of her injuries.”
