“While the National Action plan continues to be relevant today, we have 10 years of research, plus clinical and community activity that have changed what we know and understand about preventing falls,” said Kathleen Cameron, senior director of NCOA’s National Falls Prevention Resource Center. “We need to incorporate new, proven strategies to reduce falls, which can positively impact older adults’ quality of life and independence.”
The summit participants set the following priorities:
- Increased falls prevention assessments of older adults for fall risk factors
- Funding and expansion of falls prevention initiatives and evidence-based programs through both public and private sources
- Improved home and environmental safety to prevent falls at home and in the community
- Better public awareness and education about falls and falls prevention strategies
The final, updated 2015 Falls Free National Action Plan will be available later this year.
More articles on falls prevention:
Zero injuries from patient falls: One hospital demonstrates how it’s possible
Risk of patient harm in hospitals spikes on the weekends
Video patient monitoring reduces falls by 35%
