Monday, July 30, 2012

Stepping On Fall Prevention Training

I'm headed to Madison, Wisconsin today for a 3-day training in the fall prevention program, Stepping On.  The California Department of Public Health is sponsoring me to become educated in this national award winning program that combines education, exercise and assessment as a multifactorial approach to reducing the number of falls among older adults who live in the community.

Just as there are numerous causes for falls, a person must do more than one thing to reduce the risk of falling.  Exercise is by the most effective way but an education about what causes falls is also necessary.  In my book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention, I do just that; I educate about fall risks and then demonstrate the different types of exercise a person must do to remain independent.

I am looking forward to becoming certified to instruct the Stepping On program and hope this leads to future employment with the California Department of Public Health and Area 4 Agency on Aging...or maybe a position in Wisconsin!  Good things are going to happen and I am willing to go wherever I am needed.

Praise God for this opportunity!
The Fall Prevention Lady

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Fall Prevention Lady at Atria El Camino Gardens

Tomorrow, Thursday July 26th at 1 pm, I will be offering my Fall Prevention 101 workshop at Atria El Camino Gardens in Carmichael, California.  I used to teach seated senior fitness classes at Atria El Camino Gardens and I am excited about returning to introduce my new and improved approach to fall risk reduction and balance training.

Atria El Camino Gardens is one of the top assisted living facilities in the area and they are an agency that firmly believes in the power of prevention to keep their residents strong and able.  Engage Life Directory, Staci Weisz provides continuing education workshops to her residents and she loved the idea of offering my Fall Prevention 101 workshop to residents and to the general public.

This workshop not only educates about things that increase the risk of a fall but is also an introduction to the balance and mobility training classes I teach and what participants can expect to do.  The program is progressively challenging and trains both the muscles and senses involved in balance.  FallProof™ is a nationally recognized program and works when a person works it!

Again, the Fall Prevention 101 workshop at Atria El Camino Gardens is free and open to the public! Date:  Thursday July 26 at 1 PM.  I am tentatively scheduled to begin a balance training session on Wed August 8th.  Those one-hour classes will meet twice a week (Wednesdays at 1pm and Saturdays at 10:30am) for four weeks, August 8-September 1, 2012.

My book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention, will be on sale to those in attendance.

Educate.  Demonstrate. Facilitate.



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Fall Prevention 101 workshop @Fremont Presbyterian church

Today I will be giving a free Fall Prevention 101 workshop at Fremont Presbyterian Church.  Attendees will learn about what causes falls and how to progressively challenge the body's balance systems.   They will also receive a discount to purchase my new book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention.

This is an introduction to the balance training classes I teach in the community.  I will be offering a 4-week session at Fremont in August.  For more information about other locations in the Sacramento area, please visit my website, http://thefallpreventionlady.com.  OR click this link HERE.http://thefallpreventionlady.com/local-class-and-workshop-schedule

Increased awareness is the first step to preventing falls.
Take Responsibility for your wellness.

The Fall Prevention Lady

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Fall prevention and balance training at Davis Senior Center

As the Fall Prevention Lady, I love giving presentations to groups of older adults because my workshop offers a fresh perspective on the prevention of falls.  I have been studying falls among the the aging population and balance training exercises since 2006.   In that time,  I have read the best of the best fall prevention research and attended some of the best personal fitness training workshops in the country.

As a result, my approach to fall prevention has evolved over the years.  I no longer baffle people with my brilliance but offer an educational presentation that is easy to understand and apply to personal situations.   Aging is unique to each of us and we all have experienced different situations and live with different challenges. 

Today I met with the director of the Davis Senior Center in Davis, California about offering a workshop and balance training there in the fall.  (No pun intended).  The Davis Senior Center is an active hub in the small town and the older adult population is educated and active.  I have had several class participants travel from Davis to Sacramento to attend my fall prevention 101 workshops and balance training classes so it would it would be great to introduce myself and my classes to the seniors in the city of Davis.

Planting seeds, networking, spreading the word about the prevention of falls,
The Fall Prevention Lady

Friday, July 13, 2012

Fall Prevention Consultant

My name is Kelly Ward and I am the Fall Prevention Lady.  I have been studying falls and the prevention thereof since 2006.  I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with older adults, their loved ones and the people who care for them in order to prevent accidental slips and trips. 

While there are multiple causes for falls, there is usually an underlying impairment that contributes to loss of balance.  Fall prevention researchers have identified common causes of falls, some can be modified and others must be managed.  In my book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention™, I discuss these factors and provide practical tips to remedy these situations.  My book is easy to understand manner and is also entertaining.    A definite MUST READ!

I am a "fall prevention consultant" because I am able to recognize situations that contribute to falls and can provide examples of how to minimize those risks.  As a balance and mobility specialist, I am able to progressively train the body's balance systems on an INDIVIDUALIZED level to fits each person's unique needs.

My combination of experience, training and passion make me an invaluable member in the planning and implementation of fall prevention programs.  Whether I am training older adults or assessing an assisted living environment, I am able to identify high fall risk situations and offer practical, affordable solutions.  Having worked with the best of the best in fall prevention, if I don't know how to solve a problem, I have an amazing network of professionals with whom to consult.

If you want to make your environment safer and reduce the risk of future falls, I invite you to contact me.  Although I am located in Sacramento, California, I can travel to you.  I am a professional and guarantee your satisfaction with my services.

The Fall Prevention Consultant,
the fall prevention lady


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

#1 side effect of most medications and fall risk

If you guessed, "Dizziness", you are right!  Unfortunately, if the medication doesn't make you dizzy, it may cause drowsiness, light-headedness, nausea or fatigue.  Obviously, these side effects increase the risk of losing your balance and if you're taking more than one medication, the risk of falling increases proportionately. 

This dilemma puts older adults in a Catch-22 situation; you need the medication to manage a disease condition but the medication increases the risk of a fall.  The solution?  Fall prevention researchers encourage people to get educated about the medications they are taking and how each drug affects your body.  

It's also good to know how the drug interacts with other medications you are taking and the foods you eating.  Some medications may cancel out the desired effects of another while some drugs can enhance the effects of others.  If you are getting your prescriptions from more than one pharmacy, take all your medications to ONE pharmacist and ask about drug-drug interactions. 

Similarly, some foods can cancel out the desired effect of certain medications.  For instance, grapefruit juice can significantly change the body's ability to breakdown some medications.  A common drug that is affected by grapefruit juice is LIPITOR.   For more common grapefruit-drug interactions visit this link:  CLICK HERE. 

 Get educated about what you are taking and how the drug affects you.  Learn about drug-drug interactions and food-drug interactions.   A great online resource is http://drugs.com

Check out my book, "The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention™" to learn about other medication management tips to reduce the risk of a fall. 

Increasing your awareness,
The Fall Prevention Lady

Monday, July 2, 2012

Fall Prevention Center of Excellence - Fall Prevention Week

Fall Prevention Center of Excellence - Social Marketing Resources

The mecca of prevention of falls, The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, urges communities everywhereto get active and offer fall prevention education during Fall Prevention Week!

Mark your calendars....Sep. 22-28, 2012.

Reading my book, "The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention™" will give you scientifically-based background of balance and plenty of ideas to promote.  I urge you to buy my book and educate your community.

Northern California Fall Prevention Coalition planning meeting

It's that time again!  Time to begin preparing for the third week in September.  What is the third week in September?  It's officially Fall Prevention Week! As a member of the Northern California Fall Prevention Coalition, I am excited about our third annual community event to raise awareness of falls and what people can do to prevent falls.


The Area 4 Agency on Aging is the organizing body and partners with Kaiser of South Sacramento, Eskaton,  City of Sacramento, County of Sacramento, Adult and Aging Commission, Senior RSVP program, Resources for Independent Living, and yours truly, The Fall Prevention Lady™!  This year, a representative from Phillips lifeline has joined the local forces of fall prevention.

At our first meeting, we talked about possible themes and came up with some great ideas.  Without divulging our deepest secrets, I can tell you that a person has to take responsibility for his/her well-being in order to prevent falls.  Take action.  The active way to prevent falls begins with education.

In my book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention™, I educate you about fall risk factors you can control and those you can't.  Once you are aware of the difference, it's up to you to change what you can to prevent falls.  Order my book to take action now!

I will be offering balance and mobility screenings again this year but my team of volunteers will be better equipped to talk to senior participants about the relevance of the testing results and fall risk.  A Kaiser Physical Therapist will be available for more in-depth consultations.   

This is going to be a great event.  I am looking forward to working with professional to educate the public about falls and how to reduce the risk of a slip, trip of fall.

Educate.  Demonstrate.  Facilitate.
The Fall Prevention Lady