U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds co-introduced a bill designed to help older veterans avoid injuries from falls.
The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act would create an Office of Falls Prevention and a falls prevention coordinator role within the Veterans Health Administration.
It would also create a pilot program for home modification grant initiatives. The pilot program would focus on falls prevention and screenings to identify those most at-risk.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides funding for home modification programs for certain veteran populations, but they currently don't incorporate falls prevention programs into their work.
Rounds co-introduced the bill with Maine Independent Sen. Angus King.
According to the CDC, South Dakota ranks fourth nationwide in unintentional fall rates among adults ages 65 and older.