Out with the old, in with the new...

Get rid of your old senior exercise videos and try something new:  Take 5 to Exercise!

I know that change is difficult but like I explain in Day 3 of my series, it's takes 3 weeks to form a habit.  Give a new behavior 3 weeks of your best effort and then decide if this is for you.

See, the body adapts to the same 'ol exercises and while some movement is better than none, why not challenge yourself and learn something new, too?  

Here in the United States of America, we have a new president and that's going to take some getting used to.  We have been under the same party leadership for as long as I can remember so while change is needed, it's also scary.  For me, I put my trust in the Lord and pray for the leaders of our great country.

If you have been struggling with a fear of falling or you have a loved one who's safety you are concerned about, my seated exercise video series may be the answer you need!  In each of my seated exercise routines, I explain why each movement is important as well as provide helpful tips to help reduce your risk of a fall.  

I am not a political activist by any means but I am a physical activist in the sense that I want to help older people remain independent and enjoy a quality of life they deserve.  If you have a loved one whom you are concerned about, try my Take 5 to Exercise video series.  The fall prevention exercises are all done while seated so it's a great place to start.

Out with the old, in with the new.  Don't be bitter, get better!

THE FALL PREVENTION LADY

Fall Prevention=Fall Risk Reduction

I learned a very important legality at the CAHF annual convention:

   Fall prevention is not the best description for my program since falls are accidents and accidents happen.  I cannot guarantee that you will never fall if you follow my program but I can guarantee that you will greatly reduce the risk of a fall if you consistently engage in my seated exercise routines.

I had an administrator ask me if I could guarantee he would see fewer falls at his establishments and if his residents would be safer by following my Take 5 to Exercise program. He asked and I confidently stated, "Yes,  your residents will get stronger and experience fewer falls once my program is started and practiced regularly".  

  Granted, the instructor needs to know about proper form and how to execute the exercises correctly, but once I "train-the-trainers" so they feel confident following along with my seated DVD series, the benefits will happen.  Flexibility will improve, strength will increase, confidence will soar and reaction times will quicken.  Medical research proves it, my program applies it.

  Flexibility, strength, posture, endurance, maintenance, and yes, balance are components of an effective fall risk reduction program and they are all addressed in my seated Take 5 to Exercise series.    Give prevention a try.  

 Don't wait until there is a disaster, practice preventative behaviors now and save yourself the money and long-term consequences.

The newly named,

Fall Risk Reduction Lady

CAHF Convention: Take 5 to Exercise

      Tomorrow, I am headed to the California Association of Health Facilities Annual Convention in Anaheim.   This is where directors, executives, and managers for all long-term care facilities in the state of California get together for continuing education, product display and demonstration, and of course, personal entertainment.  

      Skilled nursing homes and long-term care institutions are all too familiar with the prevalence of falls among the elderly population.  In fact, Dr. Laurence Rubenstein stated that 4 out of 5 long-term care residents fall each year and he contributes lower body weakness as the number one cause for these falls.  (Aging Well, Winter 2008).

      Because I specialize in fall prevention exercises, I  have my work cut out for me!  The reason it will be a challenge for me is because in their eyes, the directors and management personnel already have an Activity Director in charge of Fall Prevention.  The AD is supposed to do what it takes to keep the residents active.  The unfortunate thing is like management, most activity directors do not realize how important a thorough exercise program is in the prevention of falls.   Most ADs do not specialize in fall prevention, and are not Certified senior fitness trainers.  But I am!  

      That is why I hope to network with as many people as I can to tell them about my Senior Exercise Videos series, Take 5 to Exercise.   My series is an asset to any video library but as a Health and Fitness professional, I provide an education that is useful not only to an elderly viewer but also an interested caregiver.    

My Train-the-Trainer workshop is perfect for staff members because it is easy to understand and use in everyday life.  Participants enjoy a power point presentation, physical demonstration, hands on experience, and a thorough education about aging and the human body.  

       Because I am a one-woman business, my booth will to be fancy.  I will not offer candy treats nor do I plan on wowing them with expensive eye-catching technotronics.  I do plan on greeting everyone with a warm smile and exuding my passion for helping seniors reduce the risk of a fall through the application of consistent movement.   I hope each person who visits my booth will take away one fall prevention exercise that they will do daily.  

Watch out, Mickey, move over Donald, the Fall Prevention Lady is coming to town!

It's time for change....

OK people, I have to tell you something, something I'm not proud of.  I am 40 years old and this was the first election I voted.  Ever.  I thought it ironic as went to the voting place and thought I tell people everyday that it's never too late to start and well, I'm here to tell you it's never too late to start!  POLITICALLY OR PHYSICALLY!!!

   So guess what?  It's time for change.  We, the United States of America, have a new president.  A new political party President.  One who has a different vision of healthcare.  A man who is encouraging the people to be responsible, not only for themselves but for each other.  A President who embraces prevention.

I embrace Fall prevention.  We are an aging society and the fastest growing segment of the population is over 85 years old.  Falls cost society billions of dollars and that number is expected to grow along with the population unless we do something.  It's time for a change.

It's time to take responsibility for your well-being and practice good behaviors now, before a tragedy occurs.  It's called prevention.  No one plans to fall which makes accidental falls so devasting since a  life is changed instantly.  Accidents happen but you can reduce the risk of an accident by lifestyle and environmental changes.  

I'm talking fall risk reduction exercises.  Gentle stretching and strengthening activities done while seated are effective.  Start with the basics.  Start a program.  A consistent program.  And guess what, I have the plan!  Take 5 to Exercise. 

 It's time for a change.  My new approach to senior exercise videos will educate, enlighten, and encourage you to change your daily habits.  No matter what age you begin, your body will adapt.  The body was made to be in motion so let's keep it that way. 

Visit my website and order your set today.   Change is good. 

 

The Fall Prevention Lady

I'm IN, Therapeutic Aging, watch out!

  Ok, I got the news:  I have been accepted to California State University at Sacramento to pursue a Specialized major, one I created, a Master of Science in Therapeutic Aging!  I am so excited because my thesis will be studying my Take 5 to Exercise program within local settings, maybe even the Veteran's Administration.  

I will begin graduate school in January and finish one year later, Spring 2010.  Wow, 2010 and my life will just begin.  See, it's never too late to start something.  I will be 42 years old when I get my Masters and my professional career finally takes off.  Being an older student has it's benefits though.  I have done the wild and crazy freshmen stuff.  I have been married (and divorced).  I have discovered my spiritual gifts.  I know what I am passionate about and what I could care less about.  

I want you to ask yourself the same things.  Are you living the life you want to live?  Are you doing what you can to make the most out of life?  I realize, and respect, the changes that a person faces during the aging process:  the body slows down, years and years of poor choices add up, reality sets in.  We are not who we used to be, we have new limitations.  

But life is meant to be lived.  Challenges occur, adjustments are made, life goes on.  There's nothing easy about getting older, it's tough but in order to be the best you can be, it's critical that you maintain your body.  The basics:  stretch, strengthen, practice good posture, maintain the little muscles, challenge your balance.  

The basics that can be done while seated in your chair.  Senior exercise videos are everywhere but be careful.  I want you to learn from someone who is passionate about helping people reduce the risk of a fall.  Someone who has studied fall prevention exercises.  Someone who teaches seated exercise routines regularly.  

Do you know what is truly important to you? If you value independence, order my Take 5 to Exercise fall prevention dvd series and live the life you want.

The Fall Prevention Lady, 

soon to be Master Ward!