Direct cost of non-fatal falls among U.S. 65+ population estimated to be $19 billion in 2000; expected to reach $54 billion by 2020
WASHINGTON, DC – Bonita Lynn Beattie, PT, MPT, MHA, vice president of injury prevention at the National Council on Aging’s Center for Healthy Aging; Matthew Narrett, MD, chief medical officer of the Erickson Health system; and John Parrish, PhD, executive director of The Erickson Foundation will make a joint presentation about falls risk reduction during the sixth annual World Health Care Congress tomorrow. Their talk, “Breaking the $19 Billion Hold on Health Care,” will take place Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 4:05-4:50 p.m. at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Erickson Health is also releasing a white paper, “Preventing Falls and Fractures: Erickson’s Answers to the $19 Billion Hold on Health Care.” (Note: Reporters interested in receiving a copy of the white paper can contact Kate Newton Schmelyun at 410-402-2025 orkate.newton@erickson.com.)
In 2000, more than one-third of the U.S. population over the age of 65 suffered a fall. One-third of those suffered moderate to severe injuries. The direct cost of those non-fatal falls was estimated to be $19 billion. This will reach $54 billion by 2020.
Beattie, Narrett, and Parrish will offer advice on breaking this cycle, including suggested ways and proven preventions to reduce this enormous financial, physical and emotional cost to people and health care. Their presentation will combine legislative, research and practical medical information with emphasis on interventions that produce a measurable return by integrating providers, research successes, medical home model, electronic records and, even an act of Congress.
JoAnn Caudill, bone health program manager for Erickson Health, will also be at the World Health Care Congress April 14 and 15 offering free heel scans, which test quickly, painlessly, and non-invasively for early signs of osteoporosis.
About Erickson Health: The Erickson Health system’s integrated network of physicians, services, technology, and research empower people to live even better, no matter what their health. Erickson Health utilizes a fully implemented electronic medical record system as well as a health portal for residents. Also available is a unique residents-only health insurance plan (a Medicare Advantage plan) with lower premiums and co-pays that focuses on prevention. Erickson Health is part of Erickson Retirement Communities.
About Erickson Retirement Communities: Erickson Retirement Communities is one of the leading national developers of full-service retirement communities. Headquartered near Baltimore, Md., Erickson has built an innovative network of communities that combine a maintenance-free active lifestyle with a host of amenities, social activities, and wellness and medical centers, proven to improve both physical and mental health. Erickson was named by FORTUNE as being one of the Top 100 “Best Companies to Work For®” in 2008 and 2009. The Erickson enterprise also encompasses the Retirement Living TV network; NorthBay environmental education center; the Erickson Health system; Erickson Advantage health plan; Renaissance Gardens assisted living, long-term nursing care, and short-term rehabilitation residences; The Erickson School at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); The Erickson Foundation; and Point Lookout conference center.
For more information about this story, please contact Nancy Belle at 410-402-2106 or Kate Newton Schmelyun at 410-402-2025.
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