DEERFIELD, Ill., Aug. 2, 2018 – 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, Aug. 7. Each year, one in four people age 65 and older falls and 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries, 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 checklist that can help older adults measure their risk of falling. The tool asks questions such as whether a person has fallen in the past year or if they take medications that may cause drowsiness.
“We know falling is not a natural part of aging and falls can be prevented. Having medications reviewed by a pharmacist for possible fall risks are a key preventive measure. We commend Walgreens for offering this service to its customers on Senior Day and throughout the year,” said Becky Turpin, director home & community safety, National Safety Council.
Rina Shah, vice president of pharmacy operations for Walgreens, said, “With Walgreens presence in communities nationwide, 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 can be the key to prevention.”
Walgreens began promoting fall prevention education in its stores in 2016.
Customers who are Walgreens Balance® Rewards members will receive 1,000 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.
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:
*Points incentive available to all Balance® Rewards members. Must present Balance Rewards card in pharmacy to redeem offer. No purchase necessary. Limit one redemption per card member. Points good on next purchase. Restrictions apply. Due to state and federal laws, points cannot be earned or redeemed on some items. Complete details at Walgreens.com/Balance.
** Offer valid only 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, prepaid 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 1 get 1 free, buy 1 get 1 50% off or buy 2 get 3rd FREE. Offer does not apply to bulk orders, back-ordered items and out-of-stock items.
AARP receives a royalty for the use of its intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members. Complete details in store or at Walgreens.com/SeniorDay.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, 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. As of June 28, 2018, Walgreens operates approximately 9,800 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.
###
In addition to encouraging customers to talk to pharmacy staff about fall injury prevention, Walgreens stores will have informational materials available, including a CDC checklist that can help older adults measure their risk of falling. The tool asks questions such as whether a person has fallen in the past year or if they take medications that may cause drowsiness.
“We know falling is not a natural part of aging and falls can be prevented. Having medications reviewed by a pharmacist for possible fall risks are a key preventive measure. We commend Walgreens for offering this service to its customers on Senior Day and throughout the year,” said Becky Turpin, director home & community safety, National Safety Council.
Rina Shah, vice president of pharmacy operations for Walgreens, said, “With Walgreens presence in communities nationwide, 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 can be the key to prevention.”
Walgreens began promoting fall prevention education in its stores in 2016.
Customers who are Walgreens Balance® Rewards members will receive 1,000 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.
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:
- Lower body weakness
- Vitamin D deficiency that can affect bone, muscle and nerve health
- Difficulties with walking or balance
- Medications, including tranquilizers, sedatives or antidepressants and even some over-the-counter medicines
- Vision problems including those from conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts
- Foot pain or poor footwear
- Home hazards such as steps, throw rugs, clutter or other trip hazards
*Points incentive available to all Balance® Rewards members. Must present Balance Rewards card in pharmacy to redeem offer. No purchase necessary. Limit one redemption per card member. Points good on next purchase. Restrictions apply. Due to state and federal laws, points cannot be earned or redeemed on some items. Complete details at Walgreens.com/Balance.
** Offer valid only 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, prepaid 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 1 get 1 free, buy 1 get 1 50% off or buy 2 get 3rd FREE. Offer does not apply to bulk orders, back-ordered items and out-of-stock items.
AARP receives a royalty for the use of its intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members. Complete details in store or at Walgreens.com/SeniorDay.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, 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. As of June 28, 2018, Walgreens operates approximately 9,800 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.
###
Jim Graham
847-315-2925
jim.graham@walgreens.com
847-315-2925
jim.graham@walgreens.com