| PRINTER'S NO. 2342 |
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. | 447 | Session of 2013 |
INTRODUCED BY FARRY, HENNESSEY, BAKER, NEILSON, COHEN, VEREB, DiGIROLAMO, KILLION, MILLARD, SONNEY, CALTAGIRONE, SCHLOSSBERG, ROSS, BROWNLEE, HARHART, SCHLEGEL CULVER, SAMUELSON, KINSEY, ROCK, GILLESPIE, PICKETT, MAJOR, YOUNGBLOOD, WATSON, MURT, GINGRICH AND KIRKLAND, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013
A RESOLUTION
1Recognizing September 22, 2013, as "National Falls Prevention
2Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
3WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has nearly 2.7 million residents who
4are 60 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 six hours, a senior dies following a fall and
11every week, approximately 27 older Pennsylvanians die from fall-
12related injuries; and
13WHEREAS, Every ten minutes, an older Pennsylvanian is
14hospitalized due to a fall-related injury; and
15WHEREAS, It cost more than $2.55 billion in 2011 for fall-
1related hospitalizations in Pennsylvania among people ages 65
2years and older, with the average cost for a fall-related
3hospitalization being $47,842; 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
14the homes 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, The United States Preventive Services Task Force
25recommends exercise or physical therapy and vitamin D
26supplementation to prevent falls in community-dwelling adults 65
27years of age or older who are at increased risk for falls; and
28WHEREAS, The United States Department of Health and Human
29Services recommends older adults get at least 150 minutes of
30moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic
1physical activity per week and engage in muscle-strengthening
2activities twice per week; and
3WHEREAS, The United States Department of Health and Human
4Services also recommends that older adults at risk of falling
5due to a recent fall or who have difficulty walking engage in
6balance-training activities three or more days per week; and
7WHEREAS, Although evidence does not support routinely
8performing an in-depth risk assessment for all adults 65 years
9of age and older, such assessments should be considered for
10older adults who have had two falls in the past year, have gait
11or balance problems or present with an acute fall; and
12WHEREAS, As the chance of falling increases with age, there
13is likely to be an increase in fall-related hospitalizations as
14this Commonwealth's aging population increases; therefore be it
15RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
16September 22, 2013, as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Day"
17in Pennsylvania.