Falls threaten Idaho seniors. Changes to Medicare could help | Opinion

It may not make headlines, but falls are one of the biggest threats to the health and safety of Idaho’s older adults. As a physical therapist, I’ve helped my patients regain their strength, stability and confidence after a fall — and I’ve seen the toll it can take on them physically, emotionally and financially.

That’s why I’m calling on Idaho’s congressional delegation to cosponsor the bipartisan Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1171). If passed, this bill would improve access to the essential physical and occupational therapy services that Medicare beneficiaries need to avoid life-threatening falls.

Let’s start with the facts. Falls are the number one cause of injuries and injury-related deaths for older Americans. Every year, millions of seniors end up in the emergency room or hospitalized due to a fall. And nationally, the cost of treating fall injuries exceeds $50 billion a year, with much of that cost falling on Medicare.

But here’s the thing: most falls are preventable. With basic balance training, strength building and mobility work — things physical therapists work with our clients to improve every day — we can dramatically reduce older adults’ fall risks. These interventions are simple, proven and effective. So why aren’t more individuals able to access them?

Medicare covers an annual wellness visit for beneficiaries; however, it doesn’t ensure that a falls risk assessment is part of that visit. And if it is part of the visit, it’s not typically conducted by a trained falls specialist like a physical or occupational therapist. In fact, many older adults never even get asked about their risk until after a fall has already happened. By then, it’s often too little, too late.

The SAFE Act would help fix this issue. It would allow physical and occupational therapists — the falls experts — to conduct falls screenings, helping to catch problems before someone ends up in the emergency room or worse.

This legislation is about using the healthcare system smarter. We know that every dollar spent on prevention saves multiple dollars in treatment down the line. In fact, the SAFE Act is expected to save more than $160 million over the next decade. We also know seniors want their legislators to pass this bill. A recent survey shows that more than 70% of older Americans are concerned about the risk of accidental falls, and 90% think Congress should properly fund physical and occupational therapy. The SAFE Act would help do just that.

Many older Idahoans live in rural areas or have limited access to care. Falls can often lead to long hospital stays and expensive nursing home admissions that take seniors out of their homes and communities. We can avoid this by being more proactive instead of reactive.

As a physical therapist, I’ve worked with patients who went from fearful and unsteady on their feet to active, confident and independent again. That’s the power of prevention.

It is time for our leaders in Congress to support and pass the SAFE Act. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about protecting the aging, reducing costs, and taking proactive steps to address a widespread threat to our entire healthcare system. Congress must pass the SAFE Act to protect older adults in Idaho and nationwide.

Kim Peterson is a certified orthopedic manual therapist and board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist in Kuna.