September 22nd is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Every September on the first day of fall, the Falls Free® Initiative promotes National Falls Prevention Awareness Day.


According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls can threaten the safety of seniors and generate a large amount of economic and personal costs. Falling is not an inevitable result of aging. Through lifestyle adjustments and prevention programs, the number of falls among seniors can be greatly reduced.

Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.

Fact and Figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • One-fourth of Americans aged 65+ falls each year.
  • Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
  • Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.
  • Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 850,000 hospitalizations and more than 29,000 deaths.
  • In 2015, the total cost of fall injuries was $50 billion.
  • The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $67.7 billion by 2020. 
All seniors should have current health care legal documents in place. These include a Health Care Power of Attorney, HIPAA and Living Will/Five Wishes. This provides the peace of mind of knowing that your family and friends can ensure that you receive not only the care that you need but also the care that you want if an injury were to occur. 

Contact Elder Law of Omaha today at (402) 614-6400 to schedule your FREE initial attorney consultation. Visit our website at www.ElderLawOmaha.com.

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