A common scenario we have all seen: an older person, after experiencing a fall, faces a long, hard, and frustrating road to recovery. But these individuals are not just statistics; they are our patients, parents, grandparents, and friends who deserve to live their lives without the constant fear of falling.
Physical therapy is a proven strategy for preventing falls, alleviating pain, and improving overall quality of life for aging Americans. Additionally, data show that seniors engaging in physical therapy are less likely to require emergency department visits or hospitalizations after a fall, and are at lower risk of long-term opioid medication use.
The importance of such services cannot be overstated. Despite the critical role of physical therapy in preventing falls, many seniors find themselves with limited access to the preventive measures that can help save them from breaking a wrist, hip, or worse.
The primary culprit for limited access? A healthcare system that fails to prioritize prevention and obstructs seniors' access to necessary care.
The proposed Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R.7618), introduced by representatives Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), addresses an urgent need for better falls prevention measures for Medicare beneficiaries. The SAFE Act will allow occupational and physical therapists to administer falls risk assessments for seniors as part of their Medicare Annual Wellness benefit.
The bill will also require HHS to submit a report to Congress on the number of falls that seniors experience and the number of seniors that receive treatment each year for pain or injury related to a fall. The changes set forth in this legislation are the missing pieces that will significantly reduce the incidence of senior falls, leading to an improved quality of life for our older population and a decreased burden on the healthcare system.
The bipartisan SAFE Act is a commendable and much-needed step forward. Importantly, these assessments will be convenient and at no cost to patients. By integrating physical and occupational therapy into Medicare wellness visits, seniors can access proactive, preventive care that will help them live safely and independently.
Preventing falls among Medicare patients has become a growing public health need, and timely access to preventive care is not only beneficial -- it's imperative. Falls among older adults can lead to serious injuries, reduced quality of life, and significant healthcare costs. The CDC estimates 52 million falls will occur among older Americans annually by 2030, yet the current Medicare structure does not adequately cover falls risk assessments completed by true falls experts -- physical and occupational therapists.
Physical therapy won't just keep seniors on their feet and out of the hospital, it can also help them manage pain and significantly lower the need for powerful painkillers. This is important because HHS's Office of Inspector General found that approximately 52,000 Medicare beneficiaries suffered an opioid overdose in 2022 alone. Seniors have not been spared from the overdose crisis.
While opioids will continue to play a legitimate role in recovery for some patients, they may not be appropriate for all. Some research suggests that adults who receive physical therapy may be less likely to use opioids for pain control. Just think how many older Americans could avoid the pain of falling altogether if they had a no-cost falls risk assessment.
Ultimately, the SAFE Act is a concrete step forward to addressing a problem that has been ignored for far too long. We urge lawmakers to prioritize the well-being and independence of our older adult community and recognize that preventive measures are needed to reduce costs, mitigate opioid use, and reduce fall rates.
I encourage healthcare professionals to reach out to their members of Congress to encourage them to co-sponsor the SAFE Act and support efforts to enhance access to preventive care. Doing so can help reverse the increasing number of falls and reduce opioid abuse among our older patients.
Nikesh Patel, PT, is the executive director of the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI), an organization dedicated to advocating for policies that ensure quality, accessibility, and value in the delivery of outpatient physical therapy services.
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