To reduce risk of injury from tripping and falling, Walgreens will offer prevention tips and advice when it hosts a Senior Day at its stores nationwide on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Falls are the leading cause of serious and even fatal injuries among adults age 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Store employee Malvina Garcia Kasperavicius (right) checks a customer's fit and height adjustment fo ...

Store employee Malvina Garcia Kasperavicius (right) checks a customer's fit and height adjustment for a quad cane at the Walgreens store in Western Springs, Ill., July 11, 2017. (Photo: Business Wire)

In addition to encouraging customers to talk to pharmacy staff about fall injury prevention, Walgreens stores will have informational materials available, including a CDC screening tool that can help the user measure their fall risk. The tool asks questions such as whether they have fallen in the past year or take medications that make them feel light-headed or drowsy.

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.

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 CDC’s STEADI program, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries. These risks 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

According to the CDC, more than 1-in-4 older adults suffers from a fall each year. To reduce risk, experts encourage preventive measures such as 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 2/6/18 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 2/6/18 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.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), a provider of trusted care in communities since 1901, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,100 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.