I was delighted to read Wisconsin Watch’s article “Parkour for Seniors? Classes help older Wisconsinites build strength, community — and prevent deadly falls.” At a time when older Americans are facing a serious falls epidemic, we must promote fun ways to build fitness, prevent injury and maintain independence.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin has the highest rate of deaths from falls in the country. The number of falls that emergency medical services respond to is rapidly growing each year, resulting in 55,000 emergency department visits in 2024 alone. This is bad for older adults who get hurt, first responders and health care providers who are stretched thin and taxpayers who shoulder the burden of hospitalizations and lengthy recoveries.

Unfortunately, many older adults are not getting the preventative care they need to maintain their balance and health. That needs to change. 

The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carol Miller and U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, both West Virginia Republicans, would address this crisis by allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive a no-cost falls risk assessment from a physical or occupational therapist as part of their annual wellness visit. 

A growing number of bipartisan co-sponsors — including Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin — supports this legislation. I urge all of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to do the same.

Kevin Svoboda is a physical therapist in Greendale and a member of the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation.

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Guest opinion: How Congress can reduce deadly falls among older Americans is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.