Phoenix physical therapist urges Congress to pass SAFE Act

Chad Waits, PT, DPT

Submitted photo/Waits Physical Therapy

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OPINION — Nobody wants to see an older parent, grandparent or loved one suffer the aftermath of a serious fall. Yet for too many families in Arizona, falls happen every day. A simple misstep on a driveway, a loss of balance in the kitchen or a stumble while walking outside can quickly lead to hospitalization, long-term disability and a loss of independence.  

Nationwide, falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths for adults 65 and older. And in the Grand Canyon State — where our older-adult population continues to grow rapidly — almost 30%  fall every year.  

Thankfully, physical therapists are falls-prevention experts who are uniquely trained to evaluate fall risk and intervene before an injury occurs. Far too often, however, patients only reach us after a fall has happened.  

That is where the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act comes in. This legislation, currently being considered in Washington, D.C., offers a critical step forward by enabling Medicare beneficiaries to receive annual, no-cost falls-risk assessments from physical and occupational therapists — the falls-prevention experts.  

Now is the time for Congress to act and ensure that older adults in Arizona, and across the country, have access to preventive care to avoid life-altering falls before they happen. That’s why I am grateful that Sen. Mark Kelly recently sent staff to visit my clinic in Phoenix to learn more about how lawmakers can help improve patient care.  

Now, I urge Sen. Kelly and his colleagues to swiftly support and pass the SAFE Act. 

Chad Waits, PT, DPT is a physical therapist practicing in the Valley. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.