📋 AARP Backs Bill to Prevent Falls Among Older Americans (AARP Article)

[Winter2024]

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!!

AARP Backs New Bill to Prevent Falls Among Older Americans.

Action needed to address growing yet preventable issue.

By Emily Paulin, AARP. Published November 08, 2024.

AARP is endorsing bipartisan legislation designed to prevent a longstanding and widespread issue among Americans 65 and older: falls.

More than 14 million adults 65 and older — or 1 in 4 — report falling every year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those tumbles result in roughly nine million injuries, three million emergency department visits, and one million hospitalizations annually.

https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2024/fall-prevention-bill-support.html

[GAKKIEZ]

 Preparation for this legislation could be lengthy and expensive. There are so many factors in what actually contributes to falls (i.e. medical frailty/cognitive decline, physical barriers).  I would love to see more seating provided, handrails in public places and better lighting. 

[GAKKIEZ]

  I think it's a waste of time to be focused on more spending to pay for upgrades and home modifications.  The focus needs to be on education and planning for aging-in-place and with new construction plans/building codes.

Too often people have not thought through home designs or modifications. I started planning for the possibilities of aging while in my 50s and made the changes while I was younger and still working. I added things such as a smooth ramp to enter/exit my home, upgraded my bath to a low threshold shower big enough to accommodate a shower seat, removed all loose rugs, etc. 

 We're seeing, as we get older that even hotels/motels aren't thinking of adding enough handicapped accessible showers/bathrooms for public use. (They're always already booked when I ask.)

[Winter2024]

@GAKKIEZ , I guess I am naive. I thought laws had been put in place for businesses to make their buildings accessible for everyone. Congrats on thinking ahead!!!

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[*** GAKKIEZ wrote: I think it's a waste of time to be focused on more spending to pay for upgrades and home modifications.  The focus needs to be on education and planning for aging-in-place and with new construction plans/building codes.

Too often people have not thought through home designs or modifications. I started planning for the possibilities of aging while in my 50s and made the changes while I was younger and still working. I added things such as a smooth ramp to enter/exit my home, upgraded my bath to a low threshold shower big enough to accommodate a shower seat, removed all loose rugs, etc. 

 We're seeing, as we get older that even hotels/motels aren't thinking of adding enough handicapped accessible showers/bathrooms for public use. (They're always already booked when I ask.)  ***]

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[GailL1]

That’s true @Winter2024 but things like hotels only have to do a certain number of rooms and evidently this isn’t enough for those who believe they need such a room.  

You see, anybody can ask for and get one and just because of the additions for the handicap, they are usually bigger especially the bath area.  

Think of it like a handicap parking spot - everybody wants one but not everybody needs one for the purpose that is suppose to be covered, that is, Help and safety for the inflicted elderly and the disabled.  

[Winter2024]

So Gail @GailL1 , it sounds like folks making these REQUESTS need to have DOCUMENTATION that they do need these facilites. But I know this will NOT happen as folks would feel their RIGHTS are being "violated" = selfish!!!

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[*** GAIL wrote: That’s true but things like hotels only have to do a certain number of rooms and evidently this isn’t enough for those who believe they need such a room.  

You see, anybody can ask for and get one and just because of the additions for the handicap, they are usually bigger especially the bath area.  

Think of it like a handicap parking spot - everybody wants one but not everybody needs one for the purpose that is suppose to be covered, that is, Help and safety for the inflicted elderly and the disabled. ***]

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[GailL1]

OH my - have we completely lost our minds - Don’t they have anything better to do like maybe figuring out how to fix Social Security in some fair method.

Old people fall - yes, they do need a safe environment - you can add all the grab bars your heart desires to help and sometimes they do - don’t need a commission for that fact.  But they also fall because they don’t have a safe place to live - their floors are rotten or they spill something and can’t bend down to wipe it up.   They trip out walking cause the whatever surface is not even.  Maybe some people should not be living alone or walking alone.  How would they eliminate those falls in the middle of the night getting to the bathroom - 

We could make builders add safety stuff to home but that will add more to the “unaffordable” nature of homes we already have.

I fell over a little asian man in NYC who was stooped over picking up something he dropped - yep, went right over him - almost knocked out my front teeth but caught myself with my arms - and tore my rotator cuff.  Wonder if this will be beneficial to the study.  Good Grief !

 Please Congress, you aren’t our father or our mother, stuff happens and there are ways that people can get these type of grab bars that could help them out some but for the most part, you aren’t gonna be able to protect us from all fall dangers out there in the real world.  We already have safety standards for assisted living places and hotels to help prevent falls but they still happen.

Maybe it could be legislated for people over a certain age to be wrapped in bubble wrap.  Good Double Grief !!

[Winter2024]

Lol Gail @GailL1 , I had to "chuckle" when I read your comment. I totally agree with you!!!

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[*** GAIL wrote: OH my - have we completely lost our minds - Don’t they have anything better to do like maybe figuring out how to fix Social Security in some fair method.

Old people fall - yes, they do need a safe environment - you can add all the grab bars your heart desires to help and sometimes they do - don’t need a commission for that fact.  But they also fall because they don’t have a safe place to live - their floors are rotten or they spill something and can’t bend down to wipe it up.   They trip out walking cause the whatever surface is not even.  Maybe some people should not be living alone or walking alone.  How would they eliminate those falls in the middle of the night getting to the bathroom - 

We could make builders add safety stuff to home but that will add more to the “unaffordable” nature of homes we already have.

I fell over a little asian man in NYC who was stooped over picking up something he dropped - yep, went right over him - almost knocked out my front teeth but caught myself with my arms - and tore my rotator cuff.  Wonder if this will be beneficial to the study.  Good Grief !

 Please Congress, you aren’t our father or our mother, stuff happens and there are ways that people can get these type of grab bars that could help them out some but for the most part, you aren’t gonna be able to protect us from all fall dangers out there in the real world.  We already have safety standards for assisted living places and hotels to help prevent falls but they still happen.

Maybe it could be legislated for people over a certain age to be wrapped in bubble wrap.  Good Double Grief !!  ***]

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