Falls are the leading cause of fatal and serious injury for older adults in the United States. Every year, thousands of seniors lose their independence – and sometimes their lives – because of falls that are often preventable. The cost is staggering: more than $80 billion annually, much of it borne by Medicare and Medicaid.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) has released the 2025 National Falls Prevention Action Plan, a comprehensive roadmap designed to reduce falls and help older Americans live longer, healthier, and more independent lives.
Why This Matters
Falls are not simply “accidents of aging.” Many are the direct result of inadequate prevention efforts, overlooked health risks, and environments that fail to protect older adults. The Action Plan builds on previous national plans from 2005 and 2015, and aligns with the federal Healthy People 2030 goals, which include:
- Reducing fall-related deaths among people 65+ from 77 to 63 per 100,000
- Reducing emergency department visits due to falls among older adults from 6,052 to 5,447 per 100,000
These benchmarks reflect a vision of a future where more of us are “falls free” and able to live our lives to the fullest.
Six Key Goals of the 2025 Action Plan
The new Action Plan outlines six broad goals, each with strategies and action steps:
1. Expand Public Awareness
Launch a sustained, nationwide campaign to reframe how we think about falls, spread knowledge about prevention, and increase demand for proven programs.
2. Broaden Funding Across Sectors
Secure coordinated investment from federal, state, local, and private sources to expand prevention programs and ensure providers can access sustainable funding.
3. Scale Proven Interventions
Increase the availability of evidence-based clinical care and community prevention programs, with a focus on underserved and high-need populations.
4. Strengthen Clinical and Community Partnerships
Build stronger connections between healthcare providers, public health agencies, social services, and community organizations to ensure seamless fall-prevention support.
5. Leverage Technology
Develop and expand access to innovative technologies that can help detect risks, prevent falls, and improve older adults’ safety, no matter where they live.
6. Improve Data and Research
Enhance the collection and analysis of data on why and how older adults fall, and invest in long-term studies that will guide more effective interventions.
A Collaborative National Effort
The 2025 Action Plan was developed through a highly collaborative process led by NCOA’s National Falls Prevention Resource Center with support from the federal Administration for Community Living.
- Input came from 327 professionals and providers, surveyed on falls prevention progress over the last five years.
- More than 180 experts across 112 organizations – spanning healthcare, aging services, technology, housing, academia, and government – participated in the Third National Falls Prevention Summit in September 2024.
- Their expertise shaped the priorities and action steps outlined in the plan.
This broad-based approach reflects the understanding that preventing falls requires the active involvement of every sector, from medical providers and caregivers to policymakers and communities.
Why OMP Cares
As Michigan nursing home injury lawyers we see firsthand how devastating preventable falls can be, especially in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Many of the falls we investigate are not the result of unavoidable aging, but rather of neglect, lack of supervision, poor training, or unsafe environments.
As OMP President Donna MacKenzie emphasizes:
“Falls are not inevitable. With the right prevention strategies, oversight, and accountability, many of these life-changing injuries can be avoided. The National Falls Prevention Action Plan is an important step toward protecting older adults – but it will take commitment from every level of care and community to make this vision a reality.”
Moving Forward
The 2025 National Falls Prevention Action Plan provides a framework for progress, but it also serves as a call to action. Families, providers, policymakers, and communities must all work together to reduce falls and protect older Americans.
If your loved one has suffered a preventable fall in a Michigan nursing home or care facility, you do not have to face this alone. Call us at 1-800-366-8653 to learn how we can help hold negligent facilities accountable and fight for the safety and dignity your family deserves.