DEERFIELD, Ill. – To reduce risk of injury from tripping and falling, Walgreens will offer prevention tips and advice when it hosts a Senior Day at its stores nationwide on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Each year, one in four people age 65 and older falls and 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition to encouraging customers to talk to pharmacy staff about fall injury prevention, Walgreens stores will have informational materials available, including a CDC checklist that can help older adults measure their risk of falling.  The tool asks questions such as whether a person has fallen in the past year or if they take medications that may cause drowsiness.

“We know falling is not a natural part of aging and falls can be prevented. Having medications reviewed by a pharmacist for possible fall risks are a key preventive measure. We commend Walgreens for offering this service to its customers on Senior Day and throughout the year,” said Becky Turpin, director home & community safety, National Safety Council.

Rina Shah, vice president of pharmacy operations for Walgreens, said, “With Walgreens presence in communities nationwide, and our trusted relationship with customers, we have a great opportunity to help older adults and caregivers make homes and other environments safer and avoid injuries from slips and falls. These injuries are often highly preventable and education can be the key to prevention.”
Walgreens began promoting fall prevention education in its stores in 2016.