Northern California Falls Prevention Coalition

I am a member of the Northern California Falls Prevention Coalition and we are planning a huge community event during Fall Prevention Week. Fall Prevention week is officially the third week of September and this year that is Sept. 19-25. Some of the biggest senior service agencies and fall prevention experts are part of this coalition so I am honored to be part of this group.

Kaiser Permanente and the Area 4 Agency on Aging are sponsoring this free event on Saturday, September 25 at the Dan B. Moore building on the South Sacramento Kaiser campus. The event is from 9am-2pm and a free lunch will be served to the first 150 participants who register. Vendors will be on site to talk about services and products that help reduce the risk of falls and there will be assessments throughout the day.

The following are the workshops that will be held in the morning:
1. Me, Kelly Ward, aka The Fall Prevention Lady, will lead the morning group stretch and fall prevention exercise component.
2. David Grantham of Rebuilding Together will talk about home modifications to allow older adults to remain safe in their homes
3. Registered dietician Lila Shelton will talk about the importance of healthy foods to keep the body strong and thereby reduce the risk of falling
4. Either Jane Stanely of A4AA or a pharmacist will talk about the connection between medication management and fall prevention.

It's going to be a great FALL PREVENTION event that will benefit anyone who is concerned about falling. Make sure to register early by calling the Area 4 Agency on Aging, (916) 486-1876.

Blessings,
Kelly Ward
The Fall Prevention Lady

People with Alzheimer's can still hear...

As the event coordinator for the 1st Annual Cordova Senior Expo, I wasn't able to wear my regular fall prevention instructor hat and provide fall risk assessments to the participants. Instead, I oversaw the event and made sure things went smoothly. Everything was great however I was disturbed by one professional's behavior directly in front of an older participant.

There was an older woman (I will call Bessie) who I had met last week and invited her to the Expo. When she got there, Bessie came up to me and said how excited she was to be there. I showed her where the activity was and watched as she began browsing the exhibitors.

Shortly before lunch, the representative from a medical-oriented Adult Day Health Care facility brought Bessie to me and right in front of her loudly said, "She needs my help, this woman has Alzheimers. She doesn't know where she is or what's going".

This bothered me because she acted as though Bessie wasn't there and could not hear what she was saying. Bessie looked at me and smiled; Bessie knew what was going on. This woman's actions bothered me because a person with Alzheimer's is still a person. A person who can hear, a person who has feelings. Alzheimer's can be a scary word to older adults so I think it's imperative that professionals who work with the older adult population are sensitive to their feelings.

Bessie and I got in line for lunch, she told me what she liked on her hotdog, the type of salad dressing she wanted and immediately recognized a friend when she sat down. Her son confirmed that Bessie does not have Alzheimer's but is in fact, sharp as a tack and quite skilled at playing "confused" in order to get what she wants.

Moral: People living with Alzheimer's disease are not deaf. They can hear you. Treat them as a person and respect their feelings.

Blessings.
The Fall Prevention Lady

1st Annual Cordova Senior Expo...

Dear Fall Prevention Lady,
Add event coordinator to resume.

Tuesday August 17, 2010. 9:30-11 am.
Cordova Senior Activities Center.
1st Annual Senior Expo.
21 Exhibitors
Over 150 participants
Free raffle drawing
Free BBQ lunch
Free musical entertainment by Pianist William Hedge
Informational. Educational. Networking opportunity. Collaboration.
Coordinated by
Therapeutic Recreation and Gerontology graduate intern,
Kelly Ward

Praise the Lord.

In grace and blessings,
The Fall Prevention Lady

Fall risk assessment tool must match population

The Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale assesses the different body systems involved in balance and mobility. The FAB was designed for community dwelling older adults or older adults who are able to ambulate at least 200 feet without the use of an assistive device such as a cane or a walker. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) has been around a little longer and is more appropriate for more frail individuals or those who have more balance and mobility limitations.
In order for an assessment tool to be effective, it must match the population.

The fall prevention exercise research study that I am conducting this summer is intended for community-dwelling older adults who do not use a cane or a walker for mobility. The FAB is one of my pre- and post-study assessment tools so participants must be able to do the 10 fitness test items in order to be eligible for the study.

Do not get discouraged if you use an assistive device for mobility! Dr. Rose's FallProof™ balance and mobility program can be modified to meet the needs of those individuals who need more assistance. You can challenge your balance and improve your skills from the seated position. In fact, my Take 5 to Exercise fall prevention exercise program is done while seated. I teach basic strengthening and stretching movements, IN PROPER FORM, that will help you reduce the risk of a fall.

Get active. Take 5 to Exercise each day! If you're interested in being part of my fall prevention exercise research study, there are 2 FAB clinics left:
Tuesday, August 10: Natomas Community Center 2-5 pm.
Wednesday, August 18: Eskaton Jefferson Manor 1-5 pm.

Reserve your 20 minute spot! (916) 821-5715
The Fall Prevention Lady

Creating Purpose-Driven Communities

Creating Purpose-Driven Communities
Kinda reminded me of purpose-driven fall prevention exercise programs based on individualized needs. Needs that are identified in a thorough assessment process.