and tools to help avert falls.
Promoting evidence-based interventions and tools would help prevent falls in senior living communities, according to comments LeadingAge recently submitted to the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
“The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies has developed a portfolio of hands-on resources that help aging services providers understand, plan for, select, implement and adopt safety technologies,” wrote Ruth Katz, LeadingAge’s senior vice president of public policy / advocacy.
Additional recommendations called on lawmakers to:
- Consider all settings, not just those funded and regulated by Medicare and Medicaid.
- Consider the purpose of a reporting system.
- Explore the potential for a purposeful connection between senior housing providers and falls prevention programs.
- Evaluate whether it would be a good idea to add a comprehensive falls risk assessment to the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.
- Consider expanding the Medicare program to include vision care.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob Casey (D-PA), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, are turning to assisted living providers and others for recommendations on ways to reduce older adults’ risk of falls and manage fall-related injuries.
The feedback that LeadingAge and other organizations have provided will be included in a report with policy recommendations that the committee will prepare for Congress.
“Over the next several months, the Aging Committee will examine best practices in falls prevention as well as falls-related services across various settings, including but not limited to the home and community, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals,” Collins said.
