1Recognizing September 23, 2014, as "National Falls Prevention
2Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has over 2.8 million residents who are
460 years of age or older, which is the fifth highest senior
5citizen population in the nation; and

6WHEREAS, By the year 2030, more than 3.6 million
7Pennsylvanians will be 60 years of age or older; and

8WHEREAS, Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths
9among people who are 65 years of age or older; and

10WHEREAS, Every seven hours a senior dies following a fall and
11every week approximately 23 older Pennsylvanians die from fall-
12related injuries; and

13WHEREAS, Every 11 minutes, an older Pennsylvanian is
14hospitalized due to a fall-related injury; and

15WHEREAS, It cost more than $2.32 billion in 2011 for fall-

1related hospitalizations in Pennsylvania among people 65 years
2of age or older, with the average cost for a fall-related
3hospitalization being $50,196; and

4WHEREAS, Falls are the most common cause of injuries,
5including hip fractures and head traumas, for older adults and
6can increase the risk of early death; and

7WHEREAS, Nationally, it costs more than $19 billion each year
8to treat injuries from falls, with the average hospitalization
9for a fall costing $17,500; and

10WHEREAS, By 2020, the annual cost for fall-related injuries
11is expected to reach $54.9 billion; and

12WHEREAS, One out of three people who are 65 years of age or
13older falls at least once a year, with most falls occurring in
14his or her home while performing regular daily activities; and

15WHEREAS, Almost 50% of older adults who enter nursing homes
16do so because of a fall; and

17WHEREAS, Falls are a threat to the health and independence of
18older adults and can significantly limit their ability to remain
19self-sufficient; and

20WHEREAS, Falls are health risks that are largely preventable
21and decreasing the incidence of falls will improve the
22socialization and functioning of older adults who have
23previously fallen and fear falling again; and

24WHEREAS, Evidence shows that the research-based program A
25Matter of Balance has reduced medical costs by nearly $1,000 a
26year for each participant; and

27WHEREAS, The United States Preventive Services Task Force
28recommends exercise or physical therapy and vitamin D
29supplementation for protection in the event of a fall in
30community-dwelling adults 65 years of age or older who are at

1increased risk for falls; and

2WHEREAS, The United States Department of Health and Human
3Services recommends older adults get at least 150 minutes of
4moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity, aerobic
5physical activity per week and engage in muscle-strengthening
6activities twice per week; and

7WHEREAS, The United States Department of Health and Human
8Services also recommends that older adults at risk of falling
9due to a recent fall or who have difficulty walking engage in
10balance-training activities three or more days per week; and

11WHEREAS, Although evidence does not support routinely
12performing an in-depth risk assessment for all adults 65 years
13of age or older, such assessments should be considered for older
14adults who have had two falls in the past year, have gait or
15balance problems or present with an acute fall; and

16WHEREAS, As the chance of falling increases with age, there
17is likely to be an increase in fall-related hospitalizations as
18this Commonwealth's aging population increases; therefore be it

19RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
20September 23, 2014, as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Day"
21in Pennsylvania.