H.R. 3183: Supporting Access to Falls Education and prevention and Strengthening Training Efforts and Promoting Safety initiatives for Veterans Act of 2025

The bill titled "Supporting Access to Falls Education and Prevention and Strengthening Training Efforts and Promoting Safety Initiatives for Veterans Act of 2025" aims to improve falls prevention for veterans through various measures. Here’s a breakdown of its key components:

Establishment of the Office of Falls Prevention

The bill proposes the creation of an Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This office will be responsible for:

• Monitoring and improving healthcare services related to falls prevention for veterans.
• Developing standards of care for falls prevention.
• Identifying and addressing deficiencies in care related to falls prevention.
• Overseeing the distribution of resources and information on falls prevention.
• Coordinating home modification programs to help prevent falls.

Public Education Campaign

The Chief Officer of the new Office will oversee a national education campaign aimed at:

• Veterans identified as being at risk for falls, as well as their families and healthcare providers.
• Reducing the occurrence of falls and injuries from falls.
• Raising awareness of available VA benefits and resources that can assist in falls prevention.

The Chief Officer will also have the authority to award grants to organizations that support local fall prevention education initiatives for veterans.

Research Initiatives

The bill mandates collaboration with research institutions to develop evidence-based falls prevention programs tailored for veterans. This includes:

• Exploring the needs of veterans with various health conditions.
• Researching home modifications and medication management as key factors in preventing falls.
• Establishing a panel of experts who will provide recommendations on falls prevention strategies.

Training and Safe Handling Standards

It requires the VA to issue updated directives on safe patient handling and mobility techniques. This includes:

• Biennial training for provider staff on these techniques.
• Ensuring facilities have appropriate technology for safe patient handling.

Pilot Program for Home Modifications

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is tasked with studying the feasibility of a pilot program aimed at home improvements to prevent falls for veterans. A report on the plans or reasoning against it will be submitted to Congress within a year.

Falls Assessment and Prevention in Nursing Homes

The bill mandates falls risk assessments for veterans in nursing homes who have a history of falls or fall risks. Licensed therapists will be required to conduct these assessments and provide preventative services during their stay.

In addition, annual falls risk assessments will become part of the extended care services provided to veterans.

Reporting and Oversight Requirements

Within two years of the bill’s enactment, a detailed report must be submitted to Congress covering:

• Current screening and intervention practices related to falls prevention.
• Number of home modification grants issued and their effectiveness in preventing falls.
• Recommendations for improving documentation and reporting related to falls among veterans.

Expansion of Collaboration Efforts

The bill also aims to enhance interagency cooperation in addressing issues of healthy aging and age-friendly communities, including making the Department of Veterans Affairs a key participant in relevant discussions.

Relevant Companies

• PHR - A health technology company that may play a role in providing resources or technology for falls prevention initiatives.
• ABBV - A pharmaceutical company that could be affected by any changes in medication management protocols related to fall risks in elderly veterans.
• TGT - Retailers like Target may see impacts from increased sales of home safety products related to the home modification initiatives prescribed by the VA.