Monday, January 31, 2011
Fall prevention exercise class at Cordova Senior Center | Senior Exercise Videos
Fall prevention exercise class at Cordova Senior Center | Senior Exercise Videos: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Fall prevention consultant for hire!
I have been busy doing fall prevention exercise workshops and demonstrations these past few weeks due to the professional networking I had done the months prior. It's amazing but each day, there seems to be another opportunity for me to do SOMETHING to increase awareness of fall risk factors.
Yesterday, I met with Kristin Jordan, founder of Serving Our Seniors, and had a wonderful discussion about the need for fall prevention education, particularly increasing the awareness of the link between exercise and reduced fall risk. I remember the first focus group during my internship at the Area 4 Agency on Aging and discovering that MOST people do not equate exercise with fall prevention! I was shocked!
The reason I'm shocked is because I have been studying fall prevention exercises since 2006. Basically, I live, breath and eat the four components of a fall prevention exercise program daily! I have been studying the "prevention-based" approach to wellness since 1991 so I realize that the choices I make today will impact my life in the future; whether that is tomorrow, 5 days, 5weeks, 5 months or 5 years from now.
It is probably safe to say that every research study that considers the effect of exercise versus no exercise prove the need for daily activity in order to remain functional. When considering exercise and fall prevention, persons who engage in activity are less likely to fall than those who do not exercise.
Please remember that it's never too late to benefit from a consistent exercise.
The choices you make today will impact your life tomorrow.
I am available for hire:
The Fall Prevention Lady
Choose to do something good for yourself today.
Order your Take 5 to Exercise series today.
Yesterday, I met with Kristin Jordan, founder of Serving Our Seniors, and had a wonderful discussion about the need for fall prevention education, particularly increasing the awareness of the link between exercise and reduced fall risk. I remember the first focus group during my internship at the Area 4 Agency on Aging and discovering that MOST people do not equate exercise with fall prevention! I was shocked!
The reason I'm shocked is because I have been studying fall prevention exercises since 2006. Basically, I live, breath and eat the four components of a fall prevention exercise program daily! I have been studying the "prevention-based" approach to wellness since 1991 so I realize that the choices I make today will impact my life in the future; whether that is tomorrow, 5 days, 5weeks, 5 months or 5 years from now.
It is probably safe to say that every research study that considers the effect of exercise versus no exercise prove the need for daily activity in order to remain functional. When considering exercise and fall prevention, persons who engage in activity are less likely to fall than those who do not exercise.
Please remember that it's never too late to benefit from a consistent exercise.
The choices you make today will impact your life tomorrow.
I am available for hire:
- Fall prevention workshops
- CEU train-the-trainer in-services
- Fall prevention group exercise classes
- One-on-one training
The Fall Prevention Lady
Choose to do something good for yourself today.
Order your Take 5 to Exercise series today.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Future Fall Prevention Advocate? | Senior Exercise Videos
Future Fall Prevention Advocate? | Senior Exercise Videos: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance Instructor Training Workshop
Recognizing the severity of falls, the California Department of Public Health is organizing a statewide Tai Chi program to reduce fall risk among older Californians. A major part of this program is the training of instructors at the local level. This weekend, January 22-23, 2011, the Northern California instructor training program will be held in Sacramento, CA.
I have been hired as an expert to instruct workshop participants how to perform three of the six fall risk assessments that are part of this program. The first thing I asked who my audience was and who the target population of this program was. Afterall, aging is a unique experience for each of us and there are extreme differences between frail 65 and thriving 85.
The instructor population of this training is current Tai Chi instructors, Physical Activity Coordinators and Instructors, Recreation Therapists and Physical Therapists and the target population for the Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance program is older adults at risk of falling, due to decreased mobility, history of falls, decreased overall health, and balance deficits.
As more research is done on the role of exercise and fall prevention, the need for standardized assessment procedures and uniform definitions is undeniable. Researchers must be on the same page; measuring the same variables (per definition) in the same manner (per protocol or procedure).
Through standardized pre- and post-study assessments, my research study demonstrated that the FallProof™ at Home DVD series SIGNIFICANTLY increased balance confidence while SIGNIFICANTLY decreasing fall risk. In fact, seven study participants were no longer identified "at risk" of falls after the 12-week balance and mobility intervention.
I am excited about being part of this program and spreading the word about ASSESSMENTS.
The Fall Prevention Lady
I have been hired as an expert to instruct workshop participants how to perform three of the six fall risk assessments that are part of this program. The first thing I asked who my audience was and who the target population of this program was. Afterall, aging is a unique experience for each of us and there are extreme differences between frail 65 and thriving 85.
The instructor population of this training is current Tai Chi instructors, Physical Activity Coordinators and Instructors, Recreation Therapists and Physical Therapists and the target population for the Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance program is older adults at risk of falling, due to decreased mobility, history of falls, decreased overall health, and balance deficits.
As more research is done on the role of exercise and fall prevention, the need for standardized assessment procedures and uniform definitions is undeniable. Researchers must be on the same page; measuring the same variables (per definition) in the same manner (per protocol or procedure).
Through standardized pre- and post-study assessments, my research study demonstrated that the FallProof™ at Home DVD series SIGNIFICANTLY increased balance confidence while SIGNIFICANTLY decreasing fall risk. In fact, seven study participants were no longer identified "at risk" of falls after the 12-week balance and mobility intervention.
I am excited about being part of this program and spreading the word about ASSESSMENTS.
The Fall Prevention Lady
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Fall prevention = fall risk reduction
A fall is defined as unintentionally coming to rest on ground or lower level, with or without injury (ProFANE, 2010). No one plans on falling; a fall is an accident and there are numerous factors that may increase the likelihood of losing one's balance. As a fall prevention consultant, I educate older adults about ways to reduce the risk of an accidental fall. As a FallProof™ instructor, I demonstrate exercises designed to improve the body systems involved in balance, including muscular strength and joint flexibility.
On a trip to San Francisco this weekend, I had the opportunity to educate several people about what I do. I enjoyed my conversation with Wayne because as a young senior, he is proactive about his health and independence. Having fallen twice, he understands the importance of reducing the risk of fall since both of his falls could have been prevented if he had been more careful.
A doctor of philosophy, Margaret applauded my efforts and the accomplishment of my Masters degree. She was also interested in the findings of my research study. As a 70-something, Margaret regularly engages in a stretching program and a walking routine. She commented how she "feels so much better when she does her stretches" but wanted to know how I was going to "make"people do the exercises!
Ah, every personal fitness trainer and health educator's dilemma; how to make people do the exercises that make them feel so much better! There are tons of books on behavior change but it all comes down to one thing: personal desire. A person must WANT to feel better. It takes discipline to be the best you can be. For the most part, good things don't come easy so give yourself credit for starting the program and STICK WITH IT FOR THREE WEEKS. They say it takes three weeks to form a habit so get into a routine, put your head down and just do it, make yourself do it, for three weeks...then see how you feel.
Falls are accidents and accidents will happen. However, you can educate yourself about the physical, environmental, medical, and social factors in order to decrease your risk of an accidental fall. Education is power. Empower yourself.
The Fall Prevention Lady
On a trip to San Francisco this weekend, I had the opportunity to educate several people about what I do. I enjoyed my conversation with Wayne because as a young senior, he is proactive about his health and independence. Having fallen twice, he understands the importance of reducing the risk of fall since both of his falls could have been prevented if he had been more careful.
A doctor of philosophy, Margaret applauded my efforts and the accomplishment of my Masters degree. She was also interested in the findings of my research study. As a 70-something, Margaret regularly engages in a stretching program and a walking routine. She commented how she "feels so much better when she does her stretches" but wanted to know how I was going to "make"people do the exercises!
Ah, every personal fitness trainer and health educator's dilemma; how to make people do the exercises that make them feel so much better! There are tons of books on behavior change but it all comes down to one thing: personal desire. A person must WANT to feel better. It takes discipline to be the best you can be. For the most part, good things don't come easy so give yourself credit for starting the program and STICK WITH IT FOR THREE WEEKS. They say it takes three weeks to form a habit so get into a routine, put your head down and just do it, make yourself do it, for three weeks...then see how you feel.
Falls are accidents and accidents will happen. However, you can educate yourself about the physical, environmental, medical, and social factors in order to decrease your risk of an accidental fall. Education is power. Empower yourself.
The Fall Prevention Lady
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