HCAOA The Voice Winter 2019-20

18 HCAOA The Voice PUBLIC POLICY Senate Aging Committee Releases Report on Falls Prevention ON OCTOBER 16, 2019, THE SENATE AGING COMMITTEE held a hearing titled “Falls Prevention: National, State, and Local Level Solutions to Better Support Seniors,” which focused on the health and economic consequences of falls and explored strategies to prevent and reduce falls-related injuries. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults that incur $50 billion annually in total medical costs. That number is expected to double to $100 billion by 2030, and the majority of these costs are borne by Medicare and Medicaid. At the hearing, the Committee unveiled a comprehensive report that provides evidence-based recommendations on ways to reduce the risk of falling. The Committee received input from multiple federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, approximately 200 respondents representing falls prevention advocates, hospitals, community organizations, and others shared their expertise on this issue. The Aging Committee’s report made recommendations in four key areas: • Raising awareness about falls-related risks, prevention, and recovery at the national, state, and local levels; • Improving screening and referrals for those at risk of falling so that individuals receive the preventive care necessary to avoid a fall or recover after one; • Targeting modifiable risk factors, including increasing the availability of resources for home safety evaluations and modifications, so that older adults can remain in their homes and communities; and • Reducing polypharmacy so that health care providers and patients are aware of any potential side effects that could contribute to a fall.