ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 7, 2008 — The American Physical Therapy
Association (APTA) has joined forces with a national coalition of health
and consumer groups to educate members of Congress and their staff about
the importance of falls prevention initiatives, including the recently
enacted Safety of Seniors Act.
In remarks during today's "Falls Prevention Briefing" in Washington,
DC, APTA member and National Falls Free Coalition representative Bonita
Lynn Beattie, PT, MPT, MHA, said that "falls and falls-related injuries
are not normal consequences of growing old; there are evidence-based
interventions that can help reduce older adults' risk of falling and can
affect the rate of falls and falls-related injuries and death." Beattie,
who also represents the National Council on Aging (NCOA), urged Congress
"to fund efforts to increase the falls risk assessment and intervention
skills of health care providers and promote collaboration with the aging
services network."
"We applaud Ms Beattie and urge Congress to fund this critical health
issue," commented APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "Falls are a
leading cause of injury and death among people 65 and older. About one
in three seniors above age 65, and nearly one in two seniors over age
80, will fall at least once this year, many times with disastrous
consequences. Physical therapists are taking an active role in educating
consumers about how to safely prevent falls as well as treat those who
have fallen and suffered injuries as a result. This education will
ultimately improve the health and quality of life of our nation's
seniors."
The Safety of Seniors Act, signed into law two weeks ago, authorizes
the secretary of Health and Human Services to oversee and support a
national education campaign focusing on reducing falls among older
adults and preventing repeat falls, and awards grants, contracts, or
cooperative agreements to design and carry out local education
campaigns.
The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org), a member of
the Falls Free Coalition, is a national organization representing
physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students
nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist
education, practice, and research. Consumers can visit www.findapt.us to find
a physical therapist in their area, as well as www.apta.org/consumer for physical therapy news and
information.