Elder Falls Prevention
The Issue and Background
Elders falling and injuring themselves has become an extremely serious problem. The facts are alarming:
• Every 35 minutes an older adult dies from a fall, making falls the leading cause of death from injury for those over 65.
• Among older adults who sustain hip fractures, 25 percent remain institutionalized for at least one year, and 50 percent cannot return home or live independently.
• 25 percent of those 65 and older who sustain a hip fracture die within one year.
• From 2000 to 2040, the population of those 65 and older is projected to increase from 34.8 million to 77.2 million.
• Medical treatment for the elderly who have fallen cost more than $19 billion in 2000, and is projected to increase to $43.8 billion by 2020.
• 55 percent of injuries sustained by elders falling occur inside the home and an additional 23 percent happen outside, but near the house.
As the leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing home repair and modification services at no expense to homeowners in need, Rebuilding Together has long recognized that greater attention must be given to this national crisis. In 2000 Rebuilding Together and the Administration on Aging launched the Safe at Home program, which developed workshops and training materials for RT affiliates and other practitioners involved in home modifications for falls prevention; public outreach efforts to heighten awareness about elder falls; and undertook home modification demonstration projects.
Rebuilding Together has been highly successful in training its nationwide network of affiliates in home modifications to prevent falls. We have completed over 75,000 falls prevention home modifications from 2000 to 2007, making such changes as installing wheelchair ramps, widening doors, installing grab bars, refitting bathrooms for greater safety, and for easier access and use. It is estimated that these safety improvements have prevented approximately 25,000 falls. We have also built lasting national partnerships with Area Agencies on Aging, AARP, American Occupational Therapy Association, National Association of Home Builders, National Council on Aging, and others.
Federal Legislation and status
While the Safety of Seniors Act became law in April 2008, thanks to the efforts of Senators Michael Enzi of Wyoming and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, and Representatives Frank Pallone of New Jersey and Ralph Hall of Texas, no funding was provided for the public awareness campaigns, demonstration projects, and research authorized in the new law.
Senators Mikulski and Enzi, and Representatives Pallone and Hall will be seeking to appropriate the $20.7 million for Fiscal Year 2010 that is needed to carry out the mandate of the Safety of Seniors Act. The recently-enacted stimulus bill provides FY 09 funding for HHS evidenced-based injury prevention, nevertheless, ongoing funding for FY 10 will be imperative in order to sustain the work needed over the coming years to meet the challenge of stemming the rising number of elder falls that will surely happen unless the nation takes action.
Rebuilding Together Position
Rebuilding Together strongly supported the enactment of the Safety of Seniors Act in coordination with the Falls Free Coalition Advocacy Work Group, and we continue to work with the Group to secure full funding for FY 10 of $20.7 million for program. Keeping seniors safe and in their homes is an integral part of Rebuilding Together’s mission. The Rebuilding Together Affiliate Network has been and continues to be a leader in elder falls prevention efforts nationwide.