Each year around three million people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. Falls are preventable, and therapists can play a part in reducing these numbers from the National Council on Aging (NCOA):

• One-fourth of Americans aged 65+ falls each year
• Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall
• Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall
• By 2020, the annual direct and indirect cost of fall injuries is expected to reach $67.7 billion

This week, many rehab teams across the country will participate in the 10^th annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day (always the first day of fall) by hosting free fall-risk screening events and educating senior populations about steps they can take to reduce their risk of falls. There are many resources available to raise awareness via events or sharing educational resources to patients, caregivers and community members, some of which we have highlighted below:

• Interdisciplinary and OT specific PowerPoint presentations and accompanying handouts
• STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) brochures, fact sheets and additional resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Share their prevent falls podcast episode
• Watch the 2018 Falls Prevention Awareness Day webinar from the NCOA for the latest ideas, tools and resources to educate individuals on falls
• NCOA educational videos:
  • 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall
  • Evidence-based falls prevention programs/classes
  • Outdoor falls
  • Fall-proofing a home
• AOTA’s Fall Prevention For Older Adults tip sheet

With so many informational resources, there is much therapists can do to educate and help reduce the risk and fear of falling among senior patients and community members.