SJ47: Fall Prevention Awareness Week; designating as third full week of September 2018.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 47
Designating the third full week of September, in 2018 and in each succeeding year, as Fall Prevention Awareness Week in Virginia.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 2018
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 6, 2018

 

WHEREAS, falls are the leading cause of unintentional fatal and nonfatal injuries and hospitalizations among Virginians 65 and older; and

WHEREAS, there are more than one million senior citizens living in Virginia, and in 2014, residents of the Commonwealth reported more than 600,000 falls, including 265,000 falls that resulted in injuries; and

WHEREAS, there are many contributing factors to falls, including lack of strength in lower extremities, use of multiple medications, reduced vision, chronic health problems, and unsafe home conditions; and

WHEREAS, falls can result in severe injuries, such as hip fractures or traumatic brain injuries, and the hospital treatment after a serious fall can cost thousands of dollars; and

WHEREAS, fear of falling can significantly affect an individual’s independence and quality of life; after a fall, many seniors limit their activity level, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, subsequently increasing the risk of another fall; and

WHEREAS, fall prevention coalitions throughout the United States raise public awareness and engage with health, housing, and transportation industries to promote effective prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, comprehensive clinical assessments, exercise programs to improve balance and health, management of medications, correction of vision, and reduction of home hazards all help to reduce the occurrence and severity of falls; and

WHEREAS, public officials, health care professionals, and all residents of the Commonwealth are encouraged to increase awareness of the dangers of falls, promote multidisciplinary strategies to prevent falls, and take steps to protect those who are at increased risk of falling; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate the third full week of September, in 2018 and in each succeeding year, as Fall Prevention Awareness Week in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Northern Virginia Aging Network so that members of the organization may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate post the designation of this week on the General Assembly's website.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 47

Offered January 10, 2018
Prefiled January 9, 2018
Designating the third full week of September, in 2018 and in each succeeding year, as Fall Prevention Awareness Week in Virginia.
Patron-- Ebbin

Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, falls are the leading cause of unintentional fatal and nonfatal injuries and hospitalizations among Virginians 65 and older; and

WHEREAS, there are more than one million senior citizens living in Virginia, and in 2014, residents of the Commonwealth reported more than 600,000 falls, including 265,000 falls that resulted in injuries; and

WHEREAS, there are many contributing factors to falls, including lack of strength in lower extremities, use of multiple medications, reduced vision, chronic health problems, and unsafe home conditions; and

WHEREAS, falls can result in severe injuries, such as hip fractures or traumatic brain injuries, and the hospital treatment after a serious fall can cost thousands of dollars; and

WHEREAS, fear of falling can significantly affect an individual’s independence and quality of life; after a fall, many seniors limit their activity level, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, subsequently increasing the risk of another fall; and

WHEREAS, fall prevention coalitions throughout the United States raise public awareness and engage with health, housing, and transportation industries to promote effective prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, comprehensive clinical assessments, exercise programs to improve balance and health, management of medications, correction of vision, and reduction of home hazards all help to reduce the occurrence and severity of falls; and

WHEREAS, public officials, health care professionals, and all residents of the Commonwealth are encouraged to increase awareness of the dangers of falls, promote multidisciplinary strategies to prevent falls, and take steps to protect those who are at increased risk of falling; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate the third full week of September, in 2018 and in each succeeding year, as Fall Prevention Awareness Week in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Northern Virginia Aging Network so that members of the organization may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate post the designation of this week on the General Assembly's website.