Bill Nelson: “Today, I wish to bring awareness to the growing problem of falls amongst our seniors, the fastest-growing population in…”

“Today, I wish to bring awareness to the growing problem of falls amongst our seniors, the fastest-growing population in the United States. Each year, one out of every three older Americans over age 65 falls, resulting in more than 2,400,000 older hospital emergency department visits and more than 22,900 deaths resulting from injuries sustained in unintentional falls. The costs associated with these falls are equally alarming: in 2010, the direct medical cost of fall-related injuries for older adults was $30,000,000,000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that if the rate of falls does not decrease, the annual cost of injuries resulting from falls will reach an estimated $67,700,000,000 by 2020. These staggering numbers are alarming, and we must work to reduce the incidence of falls among older adults by utilizing cost-effective strategies to improve balance and strength through exercise programs, improve comprehensive clinical assessments, and reduce hazards in seniors' homes. That is why today I have put forth this Resolution to designate September 23, 2014, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. I thank my colleagues, Senator Collins, my partner on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senators Mikulski and Sanders for joining with me in support of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. National Falls Prevention Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older adults.…”