Walgreens Helping Older Adults Learn How to Avoid Injury from Slips and Falls

DEERFIELD, Ill., July 27, 2017 - To help reduce the risk of injury from slips and falls, and to educate seniors in its communities, Walgreens will offer injury prevention tips and advice when it hosts a Senior Day at its stores nationwide on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Falls are the leading cause of serious and even fatal injuries among adults age 65 and older, and on average more than 1-in-4 older adults suffers from a slip or fall each year, 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 “Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults” identifying ways to make the home safer. Customers who are Walgreens Balance® Rewards members will receive 500 bonus points if they ask a pharmacy staff member about fall injury prevention.* Additionally, members who are age 55 and older or AARP members can receive 20 percent off of eligible, regular-priced merchandise that day.** A Balance® Rewards customer loyalty program membership is free and can be obtained at checkout.

“Falls threaten older Americans’ independence and safety and generate enormous economic and personal costs that affect everyone,” said Debra Houry, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “Together, everyone can reduce the risk of falling and prevent fall injuries.”

Rina Shah, vice president of pharmacy operations for Walgreens, said, “With our Walgreens presence in communities throughout America, 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 is the key to prevention.”

Many factors associated with aging can elevate the risk of falling, a risk that continues to increase with age, according to the CDC’s STEADI program, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries. These include:

• Diminished eyesight from conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts
• Medications that can make an individual dizzy or drowsy, including some over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamin D deficiency that can affect bone, muscle and nerve health
• Poor balance

Such factors underscore the need for preventive measures, including bathroom grab bars, adequate stair and passageway lighting, exercises to improve balance and a home environment uncluttered by items that a person can trip over.

* Points incentive available to all Balance® Rewards members. Must present Balance Rewards card in pharmacy to redeem offer. Offer valid 8/1/17 only. No purchase necessary. Limit one per card member. Restrictions apply to point redemption. See full terms and details at Walgreens.com/Balance.

** Offer only valid 8/1/17 in store with Balance® Rewards card to members 55 years of age or older and all AARP members. Proof of age may be required. Discount not valid on alcohol, dairy, tobacco, stamps, phone/prepaid/gift cards, newspapers, magazines, money orders/transfers, transportation passes, lottery tickets, charitable donations, pseudoephedrine or ephedrine products, clinic services, prescriptions, pharmacy items or services, sales tax, Prescription Savings Club membership fee, and items or services submitted to insurance for reimbursement or where otherwise limited by law. Offer is not combinable with "Buy One, Get One Free," "Buy One, Get One 50% Off" or "Buy 2, Get 3rd Free." Offer does not apply to bulk orders, backordered items, and out of stock items. Void where prohibited.