Falls Prevention Awareness Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Falls Prevention Awareness Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Falls Prevention Awareness Day is observed on September 22nd.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Falls Prevention Awareness Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as captivating facts you need know about Falls Prevention Awareness Day.

📅 What day is Falls Prevention Awareness Day 2024?

In 2024, Falls Prevention Awareness Day is on Friday, September 22nd. It is the 4th Friday in September; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all fascinating details and facts about September 22, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Falls Prevention Awareness Day, which takes place on September 22nd, marks the beginning of autumn and brings attention to a highly important issue. This day is dedicated to addressing the significant problem of falls, which is the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of the seriousness of falls, as they can result in various injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, and brain injuries. These incidents can be fatal, particularly for older adults, making it essential to provide them with special care and precautions to ensure their safety.

📜 Falls Prevention Awareness Day History

Dibner’s innovation, Life Alert, was a successful solution that provided elderly individuals with the assistance they needed and gave their loved ones peace of mind through direct access to medical care. Founded by Isaac Shepher in 1987, Life Alert is a wearable device that can be worn as a choker or bracelet and has an automatic dialer connected to a phone line. Over time, more emergency response systems were developed, making them more accessible and able to help a greater number of people in need.

Life Alert gained widespread recognition thanks to its memorable advertisement in the 1990s, featuring an elderly woman who falls and uses the medical alert necklace while saying the famous slogan, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” The exposure from this commercial boosted the sales of these devices.

In 2007, Falls Prevention Awareness Day was established by four state falls prevention coalitions on a state level. The Falls Free State Coalitions on Falls Prevention Workgroup requested that the awareness day be held on the first day of fall the following year. Since then, multiple states have joined forces to address public health concerns related to falls by collaborating with medical experts and supporters.

✅ Falls Prevention Awareness Day Facts

🔖 The price of falling
In the year 2015, Medicare allocated over $31 billion towards medical treatment for falls.

🔖 Injury per year
Each year, over 3 million elderly individuals receive medical attention for injuries caused by falling.

🔖 Falls per second
In the United States, on a continuous basis, there is a constant occurrence of older adults aged 65 or above losing their lives every single second.

👍 Why Is Falls Prevention Awareness Day Important

It is believed that we should assess a society based on how it treats its weakest members. According to such logic, we should do more for our elderly, who are among the most vulnerable members of our society. It speaks to our national character, and they ought to be respected for it.

If we do not avoid these falls, another one is likely to occur, which may be deadly the next time. When an elderly person falls, the injuries they sustain can limit their mobility, making it more difficult to get around. We can reduce these occurrences by assisting in the reduction of the first.

Those who are older already have a limited time with us, and we must cherish every minute we have with them. By raising awareness and protecting their health, we can have more of these moments to create cherished memories with our loved ones.

🙂 How To Observe Falls Prevention Awareness Day

⚡ Become an activist for the elderly
Making simple changes can greatly improve the lives of the elderly. Take a careful look at your surroundings and consider how the environment might impact them. Look for things like handrails on stairs, slippery bathtubs that could benefit from mats, and uneven flooring. If you notice any of these issues, be sure to report them to the appropriate individuals in order to create a safer environment for the elderly.

⚡ Spend time with the elderly
Take some time to spend with an older person you are acquainted with and show them that you genuinely care for them. It is common for seniors to feel like they are a source of burden for their loved ones. Reinforce the idea that you are there for them if they require any assistance and that they should prioritize taking care of themselves.

⚡ Celebrate with education-based activities
There are opportunities for you to get involved in both local and nationwide events. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recognizes Falls Prevention Awareness Day by organizing screenings, advocacy events, and community-based initiatives aimed at preventing falls. It is important to educate yourself and actively participate in raising awareness about falls prevention.

📅 When is Falls Prevention Awareness Day?

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