WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- In direct response to the growing concerns related to falls injuries among the older adult population, the Home Safety Council, The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) and The Archstone Foundation will hold a conference dedicated to falls prevention on December 8- 9, 2004, in Washington, DC.
The summit will be the first national conference dedicated to falls prevention, an issue that impacts millions of Americans each year. The two- day event titled Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan will bring together a diverse group of health and safety organizations to tackle this serious public health issue, and achieve consensus on a national action plan to reduce falls among the elderly. Participants will grapple with many issues including risk factor management (physical mobility, medical management, medications management, home safety and environmental safety in the community), loss of independence, and attendant medical costs related to older adult falls as they develop feasible strategies to reduce falls in older adults.
“The issue of fall-related injury and death is a significant national health concern that deserves serious attention and immediate action especially among the older adult community,” said James Firman, President & CEO of NCOA. “Together with the Home Safety Council and The Archstone Foundation, we are dedicated to developing specific prevention strategies and a strong action plan to reduce falls among older adults in America.”
Research from the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that by 2020 the estimated cost for fall injuries for people age 65 and older is expected to reach $32.4 billion per year. In 2002, falls caused about 12,800 deaths, accounting for 38% of all unintentional injury deaths, and 1.6 million seniors were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs). Or put another way, every hour one older adult died and 183 were treated in EDs for fall-related injuries.
When you look specifically within the home, according to the Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in America(TM) report (2004), falls are the leading cause of unintentional home injury and related death, resulting in an average of more than 4,700 deaths and 1.1 million medical visits each year for adults ages 65 and older.
“The high risk of suffering a serious falls injury often surprises people,” said Home Safety Council president Meri-K Appy. “As a result, common hazards that are easy to fix are too often overlooked in American households. Together with health and safety organizations throughout the country, this conference will not only raise national awareness around falls among older adults, but provide a consistent direction for families to increase the safety of their homes.”
As a result of the conference, a monograph titled the National Action Plan to Reduce Falls in the Elderly will be available to the public in March 2005. For more details on the conference please visit http://www.ncoa.org/content.aspx?sectionID=11&detail=782
About Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping prevent the nearly 21 million medical visits that occur on average each year from unintentional injuries in the home. Through national programs and partners across America, the Home Safety Council works to educate and empower families to take actions that help keep them safe in and around their homes. To learn more about the Council’s programs, partnerships and resources, visit the Home Safety Council at http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/ .
About NCOA
Founded in 1950, The National Council on the Aging is a national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons; increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations; and building caring communities. Its 3,800 members include senior centers, adult day service centers, area agencies on aging, faith congregations, senior housing facilities, employment services, and other consumer organizations. NCOA also includes a voluntary network of more than 14,000 leaders from academia, business and labor who support our mission and work.
About The Archstone Foundation
The Archstone Foundation is a private grantmaking organization whose mission is to contribute toward the preparation of society in meeting the needs of an aging population. Under the leadership of Joseph F. Prevratil, J.D., president and CEO, The Archstone Foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants since it was established in 1986. The Foundation’s funding priorities include elder abuse prevention, falls prevention, end of life issues, and responsive grantmaking to address emerging issues within the aging population. In fiscal year 2003, The Archstone Foundation awarded 23 new grants and provided more than $4.5 million in support of its mission.
Home Safety Council
CONTACT: Shannon McDaniel of Brand Resources Group, Inc.,+1-703-647-6019