Take a Stand to Prevent Falls

Take a Stand to Prevent Falls

The 8th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD) will be observed this year on September 23rd—the first day of fall. This event aims to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults; falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Specific steps can be taken to help safeguard older Americans so they stay healthy, active, and independent longer. The 2015 FPAD theme is Take a Stand to Prevent Falls.

Why is it important to take a stand to prevent falls?

• Falls are common. They are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults 65 years and older.
• Falls are expensive. $34 billion is spent annually on direct medical costs related to falls.
• Falls are preventable. 1 in 3 older adults falls each year, but less than half talk to their health care providers about it.

Learn more and take a stand to prevent falls:

• The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting #FPAD15. Tools and activities such as an infographic, webinar, media toolkit, and examples of fall prevention plans can be found on the NCOA website: www.ncoa.org/FPAD.
• CDC’s Injury Center is working to make fall prevention a routine part of clinical care through its STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents Deaths & Injuries) initiative. STEADI is now available online as an interactive clinical training at www.cdc.gov/steadi.
• Find resources for older adults and healthcare providers in CDC’s feature article: Take a Stand on Falls.
• Read updated pages on the CDC Injury Center website about falls among older adults:
  • Get the Facts
  • Cost of Falls among Older Adults
  • Hip Fractures
  • Falls in Nursing Homes