Sen. Kahns recognizes National Falls Awareness Day

Thursday, September 23, 2010

LANSING — To help bring attention about the dangers associated with senior citizens and falling, Sen. Roger Kahn, M.D., introduced a resolution Thursday recognizing Sept. 23 as “National Falls Awareness Day” in Michigan. The date was selected to coincide with the first day of autumn.

“Falling is a serious health concern for our seniors,” said Kahn, R-Saginaw Township. “Falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for traumatic injuries for adults 65 and older. It is vital to the health of our people that we raise awareness about this issue.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three adults over the age of 65 falls every year. If the rate of increase in falls is not slowed, annual direct treatment costs under the Medicare program will reach $32.4 billion by 2020.

“Research shows that for every dollar we invest in fall prevention programs there is a net-cost savings of nearly $9. That’s money well spent,” Kahn said.

Daniel Peterson, owner of In Home Rehab in Saginaw and Michigan Physical Therapy Association member, says that physical therapy is a great way to help prevent falls and help individuals recover from injuries sustained in falls.

“On behalf of physical therapists across the state and the MPTA, we greatly appreciate Senator Kahn’s support and recognition of the issue of falls involving the elderly and the important role physical therapists can play in fall prevention and recovery,” Peterson said.

For more information on fall prevention, visit the CDC’s website at: www.cdc.gov or the National Council on Aging website at: www.ncoa.org.