Bill Seeks to Reduce Senior Falling Accidents

Washington

A proposed federal measure seeks to bring more awareness to the dangers of seniors falling. The Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act of 2004 — -which was approved by the Senate late last year and is awaiting approval by the House — would, among other things, authorize a three-year government national educational campaign and grants for fall-prevention programs.

Among the findings reported by Congress in the bill:

• Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among people over 65.
• In 2000, falls among the elderly accounted for 10,200 deaths and 1.6 million emergency department visits.
• 60 percent of fall-related deaths occur among persons 75 and older.
• 25 percent of elderly persons who sustain a hip fracture die within one year.
• Hospital admissions for hip fractures among the elderly increased from 231,000 admissions in 1988 to 332,000 in 1999.
• Annually, more than 64,000 individuals who are more than 65 years of age sustain a traumatic brain injury as a result of a fall.
• The estimated total cost for non-fatal traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations for falls for those 65 or older is more than $3.25 billion.

For more about senior falls, see “Shelly Sez” on page 56.