CDC Launches New Fall Prevention Tool to Help Aging Adults Avoid Falls

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently launched the Living Injury-Free from Falls Every Day (LIFE) Fall Prevention Planning Tool to help older adults, caregivers, and families create personalized plans to reduce their risk of falling. By providing evidence-based fall prevention strategies, this tool empowers older Americans to assess their own fall risk and develop a customized fall prevention plan to avoid fall-related injuries.

As Americans age, their bodies grow weaker, leading to poor muscle function and critical balance issues that can increase fall risks. Thankfully, falls are preventable, and proven strategies can help older adults stay safe, active, and independent.

The CDC tool focuses on recognizing signs of strength and balance issues – from difficulty walking up the stairs to relying on a walker or cane for daily support. In addition to assessment, physical therapy is recommended as a means of falls prevention. Physical therapists are specially qualified to assess patients’ strength and balance using simple tests like watching how seniors walk, get up from a chair, or stand in a particular way.

This is why it’s important for all older adults to have access to physical therapy services. The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (S. 2612/H.R. 1171) has been introduced to ensure access to a no-cost falls risk assessment provided by a physical or occupational therapist—the falls experts—under Medicare beneficiaries’ annual wellness visit. APTQI urges Congress to support and swiftly pass this commonsense legislation to help older adults stay active, independent, and out of hospitals.

Urge your lawmaker to cosponsor the SAFE Act HERE.

Read more from the CDC Foundation.