New Research Indicates the Recent Surge in Fall Deaths May Be Tied to Prescription Drug Use

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) examines the increasing fatality of falls among older adults. Although our aging population has always been at risk for serious falls, data suggest that the recent surge reflects a new phenomenon that may be explained by an increased reliance on prescription drugs.

The study highlights the dangers associated with “fall-risk-increasing drugs” (FRIDs) – including opioids and common drugs such as beta-blockers used for heart conditions, anticholinergics used for allergies, proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux and more. These types of drugs often cause drowsiness or impaired balance. A systematic review found that 65 to 93 percent of seniors injured from falls were taking at least one FRID at a time, while many were taking more than one. This is even more concerning when combined with the increasing prevalence of opioid prescriptions since the 1990s.

“The more than tripling of deaths due to falls in recent years suggests that at least two-thirds of these deaths (>25,000 each year) can be prevented,” the report reads. Luckily, there are non-pharmacological options for managing pain and avoiding falls – one of the most effective being physical therapy. But as fall rates continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries lack access to preventative physical therapy services.

Thankfully, lawmakers have introduced the bipartisan Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (S. 2612/H.R. 1171), which, if passed, would allow older adults to receive a no-cost falls risk assessment from a physical or occupational therapist as part of their Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.

The SAFE Act has the power to stop falls before they occur, saving seniors from serious injuries, hospital visits, and even death. Now it’s time for our leaders in Washington to protect America’s seniors by swiftly passing the SAFE Act.

To urge your lawmakers to support the SAFE Act, CLICK HERE.