Bill Text: NJ AJR52 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates third full week of September in each year as "Fall Prevention Awareness Week."
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-1)
Status: (Passed) 2010-11-03 - Approved P.L.2010, JR-4. [AJR52 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AJR52-Chaptered.html
§§1,2 -
C.36:2-161 &
36:2-162
A Joint Resolution designating the third full week of September in each year as "Fall Prevention Awareness Week."
Whereas, Among people 65 years of age and older, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths; every 15 seconds, an injury from a fall is treated in an emergency room, and every 35 minutes, a senior citizen dies following a fall; and
Whereas, It is estimated that across the United States, one third of those age 65 and older, and one half of those over 80 years of age, will experience a fall each year; and
Whereas, It is estimated that some 1.3 million persons in New Jersey are 65 years of age and older; and that the number of people in this age category nationwide will increase from 35 million in 2000 to 55 million in 2020; and
Whereas, Falls cause disability and impair senior citizens' quality of life; and people often develop a fear of falling and restrict their activities, which can lead to a loss of strength and balance and increase their chances of falling; and
Whereas, Falling, and the fear of falling, can lead to feelings of depression and hopelessness, as well as a loss of mobility and functional independence; and
Whereas, The causes of falls vary, with contributing factors including a lack of strength in the lower extremities, the use of four or more medications, reduced vision, chronic health problems, and unsafe home conditions; and
Whereas, More than $26 billion is spent annually to treat injuries from falls, and this amount is expected to reach $54.9 billion by 2020; the average fall-related hospitalization costs the health care system $17,500, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that if the rate of increase in falls is not slowed, annual direct treatment costs for fall-related injuries under the federal Medicare program will $32.4 billion by 2020; and
Whereas, Falls are not an inevitable consequence of aging, and effective prevention programs can be offered in clinical and community settings that engage senior citizens and their caregivers; and
Whereas, Health care providers can identify patients at risk of falling, review and modify medications, and ensure that older adults receive vision screenings and eyeglasses; while affordable exercise programs can help senior citizens improve their strength and balance, and other approaches can help reduce fall hazards in homes and public places; and
Whereas, CDC has worked with the federal Administration on Aging to identify community-based fall prevention programs that teach senior citizens how to reduce their risk of falling by exercising and changing behavior; CDC also supports the Falls Free Coalition, which is a group of organizations and state coalitions that is working to implement the National Action Plan for falls prevention and to reduce the number of falls and fall-related injuries among older adults; and CDC provides funding to the National Council on Aging to convene state fall prevention coalition workgroups to exchange ideas and best practices; and
Whereas, State fall coalitions in 30 states are working to raise public awareness and promote policies related to reducing falls among older adults, involving various sectors and agencies that deal with diverse issues such as health, housing, and transportation; and
Whereas, The successful implementation of fall prevention strategies can have a positive impact on the quality of life for senior citizens in our State and nationwide by helping them to remain healthy, active, and independent; and
Whereas, Raising public awareness about falls can motivate prevention efforts; and, in 2009, some 22 states issued a formal proclamation recognizing September 22 as "National Fall Prevention Awareness Day," which highlighted proactive steps that older Americans, their caregivers, and community members can take to reduce falls, while several states extended this effort by creating "Fall Prevention Awareness Week"; and
Whereas, The State of New Jersey should follow up the efforts made by the Department of Health and Senior Services to offer evidence-based fall prevention programs throughout the State in collaboration with providers of services to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and to expand the effort to enhance public awareness of this important issue and ways in which to prevent falls and fall-related injuries, the need for which was recognized in 2009 when the Governor issued a proclamation designating September 20 through 26 as "Fall Prevention Awareness Week"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The third full week of September in each year is designated as "Fall Prevention Awareness Week."
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, health care professionals, and the citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs designed to raise public awareness of this significant community health issue and effective measures for preventing falls among the senior citizens of this State.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the third full week of September in each year as "Fall Prevention Awareness Week." The resolution requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, health care professionals, and the citizens of this State to observe this week with appropriate activities and programs designed to raise public awareness of this significant community health issue and effective measures for preventing falls among the senior citizens of this State.
Designates third full week of September in each year as "Fall Prevention Awareness Week."
