Gov. Chris Gregoire has declared today as Fall Prevention Awareness Day. This is the fourth year for designating a special day to increase awareness of this problem.
Why is it considered important enough to warrant the governor’s actions?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that one in three adults age 65 and older fall each year. Falls are a high-cost health-care problem, with the public paying a very high proportion of these costs. In 2009, the New York Times reported the estimated national cost had reached $75 billon. The expense has continued to increase since then.
In Washington, falls by older adults are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations. In 2007, 12,462 Washington seniors were hospitalized due to a fall — 606 of those seniors died. Ninety-five percent of hip fractures are caused by falls and 20 percent of people die within a year after a hip fracture. Of those who fall, 20-30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries that permanently reduce mobility and independence.
Many of our Snohomish County Fire Districts report that 40 percent to 70 percent of their trauma EMS calls are for seniors who have fallen.
In 2008, Gov. Gregoire asked each county to form a Falls Prevention Coalition. The Falls Prevention Coalition of Snohomish County was formed and has been very active. Representatives from fire districts, health organizations and other many, varied persons, businesses and organizations serve on the coalition. The coalition’s goal is to inform the public that there are preventative actions that can reduce the risk of falling. Any group or organization may request an in-person falls prevention presentation by calling 425-265-2223.
You can’t turn back the hands of time, but you can take steps to stay active and independent by preventing falls. Falling is not a fact of the aging process.
Tim Mierau
Chair, Fall Prevention Coalition of Snohomish County
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