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Press release
Health and safety leaders launch national action plan to reduce the risk of fall-related injuries for older adults
The International Council on Active Aging Partners with the National Council on the Aging, the Home Safety Council and the Archstone Foundation to Promote Falls Prevention
WASHINGTON--In response to escalating concerns related to falls and fall-related injuries among the aging population, the International Council on Active Aging has partnered with top health and safety organizations including the National Council on the Aging (NCOA), the Home Safety Council and the Archstone Foundation in an initiative entitled Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan. Released today, the National Action Plan is a one-of-its-kind monograph that addresses the challenges and barriers related to a national falls prevention initiative and outlines key strategies and action steps to help reduce fall dangers for older adults.
In 2002, about 12,800 persons 65 years and older died from an unintentional fall; 38% of all unintentional injury deaths among the elderly were caused by falls; and 1.64 million seniors were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs) for non-fatal falls. Or put another way, every hour one older adult died and 183 were treated in EDs for fall-related injuries. In addition, the financial impact is significant. A 1996 study by Englander and colleagues estimated that by 2020 the cost of fall injuries for people ages 65 and older would reach $43.8 billion (in current dollars).
"The growth of the aging population, the desire of mature adults to remain independent and the rising costs of healthcare and long-term care make finding ways to prevent and reduce falls of paramount importance," says James Firman, president and CEO of NCOA. "This National Action Plan is offered as both a call to action and a guide for implementing an effective, coordinated approach to reducing injurious and fatal falls among older adults."
Within the home, falls are the leading cause of home injury and related death, and older adults are at greatest risk of suffering a serious or fatal fall injury. In fact, Home Safety Council research shows that for adults ages 65 and older falls at home cause an average of more than 4,700 deaths and 1.1 million medical visits each year.
"The National Action Plan will help consumers, healthcare and service providers, policy makers and the housing and remodeling industry become more aware of and promote home safety measures that can lower the risk of falls," says Home Safety Council president Meri-K Appy. "Through this important initiative, we hope that all older adults and caregivers will have knowledge and access to critical resources that can help reduce fall dangers and increase the safety of their homes."
"We all have someone in our lives who has been injured or perhaps died as a result of a fall," says Joseph F. Prevratil, president and CEO of the Archstone Foundation. "The National Action Plan provides strategies that can be used on a local, state or national level to reduce the risk of falls. This effort was funded by the Archstone Foundation as a part of its multiyear initiative to reduce falls among older adults."
"Falls and fall-related injuries in older adults are critical health concerns in the active aging field, which supports health, well-being and quality of life for older adults," says Colin Milner, founder and CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA). "Physical activity interventions that improve strength, balance and mobility can reduce falls in the older population and prevent the often devastating effects they have on individuals, as well as their families and communities. The National Action Plan recognizes that poor physical mobility is a key contributor to falls and includes innovative and comprehensive strategies to address this and other falls risk factors. The ICAA is privileged to participate in this initiative."
National Action Plan - Key Strategies
The National Action Plan, which is available at www.healthyagingprograms.org, "What's New" outlines strategies related to the key risk factors for falls, including physical mobility, medications management, home safety and environmental safety in the community. Among the thirty-six strategies outlined in the plan, they include:
- Creating national Web-based clearinghouses to disseminate consumer information and resources about falls prevention
- Increasing the number of adults who have an annual medication review conducted by a healthcare provider or pharmacist and insure this review includes an adequate focus on falls and fall-related injury prevention, with the goal of reducing or eliminating medications that increase falls risk.
- Conducting a strategically planned consumer education campaign to increase awareness of falls risks associated with medication use.
- Identifying best practice information about effective strategies to reduce falls inside and outside the home.
- Supporting consumer adoption of home modifications aimed at falls prevention by featuring examples that are attractive, aesthetically appropriate for home environments, simple to understand, easy to implement, affordable and effective.
- Developing a public policy agenda to promote falls prevention in America at the national, state and local levels.
- Experts also advocate a cross-cutting approach to effectively move the action plan forward and promote interdisciplinary activities to identify, synthesize and translate falls prevention information in the areas of communications, marketing, public policy and advocacy.
The National Action Plan resulted from the Falls Free Summit, a collaborative meeting sponsored by the Home Safety Council, NCOA and the Archstone Foundation that was held in December 2004. The Summit convened a diverse group of health and safety organizations to tackle this serious and complex public health issue. The CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control has provided additional funding support for the publication of the National Action Plan. To download Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan, and for additional information on falls prevention, log onto www.healthyagingprograms.org , "What's New."
About the ICAA
The ICAA is the world's largest association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation, medical and wellness fields. It connects a community of like-minded professionals who share the goals of changing society's perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for aging Baby Boomers and older adults within the six dimensions of wellness (emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social.) The council supports these professionals with education, information, resources and tools, so they can achieve optimal success with this growing market.
About NCOA
Founded in 1950, the National Council on the Aging is a national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons; increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations; and building caring communities. Its 3,800 members include senior centers, adult day service centers, area agencies on aging, faith congregations, senior housing facilities, employment services, and other consumer organizations. NCOA also includes a voluntary network of more than 14,000 leaders from academia, business and labor who support our mission and work.
About Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping prevent the nearly 21 million medical visits that occur on average each year from unintentional injuries in the home. Through national programs and partners across America, the Home Safety Council works to educate and empower families to take actions that help keep them safe in and around their homes. To learn more about the Council's programs, partnerships and resources, visit the Home Safety Council at www.homesafetycouncil.org.
About The Archstone Foundation
The Archstone Foundation is a private nonprofit grantmaking organization founded in 1985, whose mission is to contribute toward the preparation of society in meeting the needs of an aging population. It has awarded more than $50 million in grants since its inception. The Archstone Foundation is currently focusing the majority of its resources to address the following four issue areas, with an emphasis on funding California-based initiatives:
* Elder abuse and neglect;
* Fall prevention;
* End-of-life issues;
* Responsive grantmaking to address emerging needs within society's aging population.
The Archstone Foundation strives for lasting change and working in partnership with others. To learn more about the Archstone Foundation and the work of its grantees, visit www.archstone.org.
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For interviews or more information about the ICAA or aging-related issues, contact:
Colin Milner, CEO
International Council on Active Aging
Toll-free: 866-335-9777 (in North America)
Telephone: 604-734-4466
