This bill creates a new Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs to address a major health and safety issue affecting veterans. The office will be headed by a Chief Officer who reports to the Under Secretary for Health and will develop standards of care, monitor compliance, oversee research partnerships with the National Institute on Aging, and coordinate home modification programs aimed at reducing falls among veterans. The legislation also requires the VA to conduct falls risk assessments and provide fall prevention services for veterans in nursing homes and extended care facilities, implement safe patient handling training for all providers, and launch a national public education campaign about fall prevention benefits and services available to at-risk veterans and their families. The bill directs the VA to submit a comprehensive report within two years detailing current falls prevention efforts and screening practices, and to evaluate the feasibility of a pilot program offering home improvements to prevent falls for eligible veterans. The legislation establishes specific timelines for implementing safe handling directives and establishing a joint expert panel with the National Institute on Aging within 180 days of enactment.
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