Survey: Older Americans Value Therapy Services & Support the SAFE Act
A new survey by Morning Consult confirmed what the physical and occupational therapy community has known: older Americans are deeply concerned about falling and they value the preventative services provided by physical and occupational therapy.
The survey, which polled older registered voters across the nation, highlights the importance of the services our therapy community provides and broad support for Medicare funding to protect access to physical and occupational therapy.
Among the results were four key findings:
- Older Americans strongly support the SAFE Act (H.R. 7618). 87% of respondents support the SAFE Act to help prevent falls (57% strongly support). Notably, majority support cuts across all demographic and ideological groups, including Democrats (90% support) and Republicans (81% support).
- Older Americans recognize the risks associated with falls. 71% are concerned about accidental falls and 42% have had a personal experience with a fall in their household.
- Older Americans value physical and occupational therapy. 74% of respondents view physical and occupational therapists as very important to preventing falls.
- Older voters want Congress to protect Medicare funding for therapy. 90% of respondents think it is vital for Congress to properly fund physical and occupational therapy services.
Congress can respond to the concerns of older Americans by supporting legislation to prevent falls: The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618). If passed, this legislation would enable physicians to refer Medicare beneficiaries who have fallen within the past year to receive no-cost, comprehensive falls risk assessment and other prevention services from physical and occupational therapists.
We need your help to get this bipartisan legislation passed. Email your lawmakers today and urge them to support the SAFE Act! Click here to get started.