Balance Assessments during Fall Prevention Awareness Week

I was thinking about it and I really feel like doing balance assessments using the Fullerton Advanced Balance(FAB) scale!  I love this 10-item assessment tool because it measures a multitude of elements associated with balance  and fall risk.  It sheds light into the integrity of body systems involved in balance and can be a real eye opener for some.

I used the FAB at various senior and community centers as part of my research study during my graduate studies in 2010 and have had the opportunity to implement the short-form FAB at both the 2011 and 2012 Area 4 Agency on Aging (A4AA) and Kaiser Permanente sponsored Community Fall Prevention Awareness events in Sacramento.

Unfortunately, the A4AA and Kaiser are not hosting another fall prevention community awareness event so it's up to local providers who are passionate about reducing falls among older adults to do something on our own!  And that's exactly what I'm doing; coordinating with local churches to offer balance assessments for older adults.

Community Outreach Balance Assessments and Fall Prevention Workshops:

1.  Parkside Community Church (5700 S. Land Park Dr.  Sacramento, 95820)

• Balance Assessments:  Monday, September 9.  9:30-11:30am.  Registration required
• Fall Prevention 101 Workshop:  Monday, September 23.  10a-Noon.  

2.  Northminster Presbyterian Church (3235 Pope Ave, Sacramento, 95821)

• Balance Assessments:  Wednesday, September 25.  9am-Noon.
• Balance & Mobility Training Classes:  M/W, 9-10am, Oct. 7-Oct. 30

Get educated.  Get active.
We can't stop the season, but we can prevent the accident.

The Fall Prevention Lady

Evidence-based Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance program

Thanks to the California Department of Public Health and the San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force, I am now "certified" in the evidence-based Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance (TCMBB) program that has been demonstrated to prevent falls by as much as 55% when a person follows the program.  Woo-hoo!

I thoroughly enjoyed the two-day training with Master Instructor, Robert Nations, from San Diego.  He is a wonderful teacher who really knows the art of Tai Chi.  He patiently taught the group of 13 insstructors from San Mateo, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara county eight basic moves that are demonstrated to PREVENT FALLS by as much as 55% when done regularly.

Tai Chi is an art form that requires practice.  Lots of it.  Because the benefits are slow and progressive and basically directly related to the amount you practice, a lot of people give up because we're all expecting INSTANT results.  This isn't instant!  It takes practice!

I enjoyed the training and feel confident that with practice, I will be teaching the program to (willing) older adults in two or three months.   Hallejulah!

The Fall Prevention Lady

Preventing Falls One Step at a Time

Ironically, the first day of fall is nationally recognized as Fall Prevention Awareness Day.  The theme for this year's fall prevention awareness campaign is "Preventing Falls One Step at a Time".  In order to prevent a fall, it's important that you're wearing the right shoes!

The right shoe is one that has a good fit, good support, good sole and a good heel.  Think about it...if your shoes don't fit or if they are constantly slipping off your foot, the chances of losing your balance are much higher than if the shoe fits comfortably and securely.

As a Master Trainer in the evidence-based Stepping On fall prevention program, I teach an entire segment on proper footwear.  We do a "shoe audit" and encourage participants to take a good hard look at the shoes you're wearing.  Yes, those slip-on slippers might be your FAVORITE pair but if the shoe doesn't secure around your heel, there's a good chance you are compensating to keep it on.  Think of it like this:

IF IT SLIPS ON, IT COULD SLIP OFF.

Just remember, over 50% of all falls can be prevented with increased awareness and lifestyle changes.  Fall prevention researchers recommend you do two or more of the following:

1. Engage in consistent exercise program
2. Do a home safety check and make (or hire someone) modifications
3. Manage your medications

The more you know about things that contribute to falls and the more changes you make to prevent them, the more likely you are to remain safe and independent. 

Visit my new website, http://www.fallpreventionlady.com and order my book to learn about fall risk factors and mostly, what you can do to improve balance to prevent falls.  

The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention 

All you need to remain independent

One step at a time!
The Fall Prevention Lady

Grant-funded fall prevention program in Sacramento

The Sierra Health Foundation recently awarded the North Sacramento Grandparents Support Group (NSGSG) a grant for fall prevention education and balance training classes to keep grandparents who are raising grandchildren healthy and free from falls. 

I collaborated with the administrators of the NSGSG to develop the program and am proud to be implementing my educational Fall Prevention 101 workshops and evidence-based FallProof™ balance training sessions throughout the Sacramento area over the next year.  

This grant-funded program enables me to educate a segment of the population whom I would not otherwise be able to work with; grandparents raising grandkids!   I'm used to working with older adults who seek out fall prevention services and balance training classes to remain independent.  This group of older adults may be aware of the seriousness of a fall but they do not know that falls can be prevented or have the time and resources to attend this type of program.

So we're bringing it to them!  All classes and workshops have PlayCare available for infants and toddlers so the grandparent can take care of their needs without worry. 

The first balance training class started Tuesday, August 6th at Northminster Presbyterian Church and will meet for one-hour, twice a week for four weeks.  The class is full with 15 participants of all ages and abilities.  I love what I do and I can't wait to see lives transform.

Fall Prevention 101 workshop: 
Monday, August 19:  10am-11:30am
Northminster Presbyterian Church 3235 Pope Ave   95821

Next FallProof Balance Training Class:
Sept. 3- Sept. 27:  Tues/Fri, 11-noon
Lilliput Children's Services  2750 Sutterville Road (Cottage #3 at Sacramento Children's Home) 95820

So Blessed!
The Fall Prevention Lady