Pumpkin-spice lattes are back, temperatures are dipping, and football is reigning supreme every weekend. That can only mean one thing: Fall is upon us!
The start of the “harvest season” is also a time to raise awareness about an issue that sends more older Americans to the hospital than all other emergencies combined: falls.
We are in the midst of “Falls Prevention Week” across the United States, a time to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected from falls.
The National Council on Aging says every year, 1 in 4 adults over 65 will fall, leading to 3 million emergency rooms visits. Falls contribute to the majority of hip fractures in older adults and are the leading cause of brain injuries. NCOA estimates falls cost nearly $40 billion annually in Medicare and Medicaid claims, which impacts us all.
There’s no question, even one fall can have a catastrophic impact, and lead to lost productivity at work; whether one of your employees falls, or must leave the office to care for a loved one who did.
NCOA offers this “Falls Free Checkup” to ensure you and your loved ones are taking steps to prevent falls. Here at Homethrive, we’ve created this “Home Safety Checklist” to give you a room-by-room look at ways to prevent falls in the home.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Now, get out there to enjoy the leaves turning, trick-or-treating, and cheering on your favorite team, because that’s what fall should be about!