Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com

The House of Representatives has passed legislation designed to help reduce the number of seniors who suffer a fall, and some groups are calling for even more funding. 

The "Safety of Seniors Act" calls for public education, research and demonstration projects.

"With the nation's more than 79 million baby boomers headed into their senior years, this is a problem that will only continue to escalate," said Leo Carey, vice president of government affairs for the National Safety Council.

The mortality rate from falls for older Americans has grown 39 percent between 1999 and 2005. Each year, one in three Americans 65 and older falls, and nearly 16,000 die from complications due to a fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hip fractures are a very common injury.

Tumbles also can lead to further health complications and increase long-term care needs. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among people aged 65, making falling a major concern to those who act as caregivers.

Those caring for an elder might think about having a physical or occupational therapist evaluate their homes. Steps such as installing bathroom grab bars, using higher-watt light bulbs to brighten rooms, and anchoring area rugs with double-sided tape can help reduce falls. The CDC also has tips on its website, including a checklist for fall-proofing homes.

Funding Needed
The Safety of Seniors Act is an "important first step" that should be followed by appropriating additional funding for the CDC's falls prevention budget, said Patricia Adkins, chief operating officer at the Home Safety Council.

More than $19 billion annually is spent on treating the elderly for falls, including $12 billion for hospitalization, $4 billion for emergency room visits, and $3 billion for outpatient care, according to CDC figures.

Most of these bills are covered through Medicare. However, it's projected that direct treatment costs will reach $43.8 billion annually by 2020, an amount that falls far short of what's currently allocated. 

"If we are to make a meaningful difference for older adults, we must communicate to Congress and the White House that more resources are needed to adopt programs that are working," Adkins said. "Trying to solve a $19 billion problem with a $1 million budget does not make sense."

Earlier this year, the Falls Free Coalition Advocacy Work Group and 25 other organizations called on Congress to add $20.7 million in fiscal year 2009 for the CDC to address the problem of falls.