"Sacramento Fall Prevention Network"

Due to lack of funding, the Northern California Fall Prevention Coalition dissolved last year.  The mission of a fall prevention coalition is to increase awareness of falls, fall risk factors and provide resources that can reduce that risk.  The ultimate goal is to keep older adults safe at home and free from injury associated with falls.

As a coalition member, I was active in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the first, second and third community-based fall prevention events in Sacramento.  Like all coalition members, I volunteered my time and efforts.  Personally, I think our events improved each year and I was disappointed to hear the Area 4 Agency on Aging and Kaiser of South Sacramento wouldn't be sponsoring this year's event.

No sponsors, no event.  No coalition, no planning.  Seniors are still falling.

Enter the "Sacramento Fall Prevention Network"! 

• The SFPN is a network of older adult service provider agencies sharing resources and information on senior fall prevention in the greater Sacramento area. We are service providers, not vendors.  We do not sell products but share resources.  

•  This is not a collaborative or coalition, just a way to connect people who are working on senior fall prevention in Sacramento. 

•  The purpose of this network is to increase awareness of existing resources, share ideas with other service providers, and connect providers working on similar projects.

Please contact me if you are interested in joining the Sacramento Fall Prevention Network.
info@thefallpreventionlady.com

"Evidence-based fall prevention programs" required for funding

Federal, state, and local governments realize the extreme financial cost as more older adults fall down; an estimated 1 in 3 people over 65 falls each year (CDC, 2006).  Medicare recognizes the painfully high financial burden when the same older adult falls repeatedly; half of those who fall once will fall again (CDC, 2006).  What's happening is older adults are falling down, going to the ER and those not seriously injured are being released to the same environment in which they fell.

No education.  No intervention.  Nothing changes.   As a result, the older adult falls again and repeats the cycle; falls down, fire department called, ER visit, released home.  Medical bills rack up until something happens; the older adult either moves in with family members or an assisted living environment or moves onto be with the Lord. 

What is so painful is that fall prevention research demonstrates that over 50 percent of falls can be prevented through a multi-factorial approach.  HUH?  Educate. Demonstrate. Facilitate.

• Teach what is causing the fall or loss of balance.  Education increases awareness. 
• Demonstrate how to reduce the risk when possible.  Exercise is the number one way to prevent a fall.  Therefore, demonstrate the different types of exercise that improve balance.
• Facilitate behavior change by linking the older adult to appropriate resources; resources that teach how to reduce fall risk, demonstrate how to remain active and facilitate compliance by linking with resources. 

Federal and state governments will only fund evidence-based programs; programs that demonstrate significant fall risk reduction and/or improved balance confidence.   Medicare will no longer reimburse medical expenses related to prior admissions. 

Some evidence-based programs that are currently being promoted in California:

• Stepping On
• Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance
• Walking with Ease
• Chronic Disease Management
• Live Strong and Safe (with my Take 5 to Exercise component!)

Training for trainers is available through Public Health department and private training.  Get involved.  Get funding.  Get evidence-based programming! 

Fall Prevention Lady joins forces with "San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force"

For the most part, I have been working as an independent contractor since my graduate studies at California State University, Sacramento began in 2002 where I focused on gerontology, therapeutic recreation and recreation therapy; specifically fall prevention and balance training for older adults.  

As the Fall Prevention Lady, I have worked for public, private and non-profit agencies in both Sacramento and Los Angeles regions and continue to expand my horizons.   I am now a "Master Trainer" and "Master Leader" in the evidence-based Stepping On fall prevention program, a published author of the "Complete Guide to Fall Prevention" and producer of the seated stretching and strengthening fall prevention DVD series, "Take 5 to Exercise". 

As much as I've enjoyed working independently, I am proud to announce my new position with the "San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force".  My duties as the health educator and fall prevention program coordinator include community outreach, program development, fall prevention education, grant writing and other necessary odds and ends associated with community-based programs designed to increase awareness of falls and how to reduce that risk in order to remain independent.    

The Task Force is not a service provider but functions to decrease falls among community dwelling older adults through advocacy, resource development and education.   This position will enable me to apply the skills I learned throughout my graduate studies while improving the quality of life for older adults.

Looking forward to doing big things within the San Mateo (and Sacramento) communitites.  Afterall, it takes a village to raise to child but it takes a community to prevent a fall.  

Yay team!  

Fall prevention consultant? Really?

As a certified "FallProof™ Balance and Mobility Specialist" with a Master's degree in Therapeutic Aging, I consult with older adults and their family members, program coordinators, community specialists, support groups, recreation therapists, fitness trainers, and anyone else who is concerned about falls among our aging population and how to reduce the risk of an accidental slip or trip.

Although I am not the only one doing this type of work, I am a pioneer in my field.  I have been studying aging, balance, falls, and the prevention of falls for nearly ten years.  I love what I do and through education, demonstration and facilitation, I fulfill my mission which is to improve quality of life for older adults by improving balance and reducing fall risk.   Thus, I am weary of "fall prevention" scams and businesses who use all the right lingo but offer questionable services and/or products;  I instantly want to know more about the program and what they're selling.

While living in Los Angeles, I was contacted by a man who wanted me to join his "fall prevention consultant" business.  Of course I was excited about the possibility of joining a team of like-minded individuals with the same passion as me so I wanted to know more about his qualifications, his business, and his mission.

After meeting with him and his "partner", I quickly discovered he's not a "fall prevention consultant"; he's a salesman.   He is not a gerontologist; he's a salesman.  He is not a fitness specialist; he's a salesman.   He does not develop and deliver programs that help older adults remain independent.   He's a business major, that's right, he's a salesman.

He is selling a "posture analysis" machine to assisted living facilities.  Even though I am highly trained to test the exact dimensions and provide more feedback than a machine can offer, this guy thinks the machine is more accurate and the print out is worth more than a professional assessment. I don't agree but ok, let's say the assisted living facility buys the idea that there is value in the printout and pretty graphics the machine spits out.  Now what?

I asked him what type of balance training program he offers the residents.  What type of educational program are you using to increase awareness of fall risk factors?  What type of home modifications are you suggesting?  What about medication management?

This is where his true salesman colors started to shine.  He has no balance training classes to offer.  He doesn't know the different types of exercise a person should be doing to improve his/her balance.   He is trying to put together a "program" to sell to activity directors; a once a week educational program.

Fall prevention research demonstrates that a multi-dimensional approach is the most effective way to reduce the risk of a fall.  In other words, educate, demonstrate and facilitate how to make changes that will improve balance and reduce fall risk.  An analysis of how a person is standing and how the muscle fibers are firing that morning may indicate risk of a fall but will not prevent a fall; it takes education and behavior change to remain independent.

My book, "The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention" does just that; it explains factors that increase the risk of a fall, demonstrates the different types of exercise that researchers recommend to improve balance and facilitates behavior change through compliance charts.  I even offer my "Help, I've Fallen and I CAN get up" demonstration!

Buyer beware!  Apparently "fall prevention consultant" is the new lingo that salesmen are going to use to target the baby boomers.  Beware.