Despite their best efforts, UW Medicine has not yet been able to reach fair and sustainable agreements with Aetna that ensure continued access to care and are in the best interests of patients. Effective June 1, 2025, UW Medicine’s contracts with Aetna for Medicare Advantage and Commercial services have expired and we are now out of network with Aetna. Learn more about what this means for you and what you should do next.
Every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency department for a fall. Not surprisingly, once you’ve fallen, you are two to three times more likely to fall again the next year, and an unwelcome cycle has begun. When it comes to falls, as with many health issues, there are simple, positive steps you can take to reduce your risk. In addition to maintaining strength and balance, eyesight also plays a role in avoiding a fall and preserving your independence.
Changes in vision and balance, along with other medical and physical conditions, can make the risk of falling a greater concern as people age. Something as simple as updating glasses can make a large difference in preventing falls.