Fall Prevention

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults ages 65 and older. Such injuries may limit mobility, contribute to social isolation, and even cause premature death. The risk of falls and related injuries increases with age and is greatest after age 75.

The Healthy People 2020 goal is 4.7% or fewer adults ages 65 and older having falls that result in an emergency department visit [1]. Tennessee has not yet reached this goal, as approximately 7.3% of older Tennesseans had an emergency department visit due to a fall in 2015.

Fall Preventive Initiatives in Tennessee

• Evidence-based programs
  DDA administers Older Americans Act funding for evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention activities. Many of these are exercise classes aimed at preventing falls. Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is one such evidence-based fall prevention program.
• National Fall Prevention Awareness Day
  DDA participates in the annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD) which raises awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults.

Interested in learning more about fall prevention efforts in Tennessee? Email tn.aging@tn.gov for more information.

[1] United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, “Healthy People 2020 Topics & Objectives, Older Adults.”