12 people, including one lone ranger. 83 is the oldest and there are two young buckettes, both age 60. The average age of this class is 73 years old. This is one of the youngest groups I have had in awhile and they are active, full of life and excited about this 4-week balance training program.
As usual, I do three standardized Senior Fitness Tests as a pre- and post-class assessment. As I was doing the pre-assessments, I was pleasantly surprised to see how everyone was able to do the tests exactly according to protocol. NO modifications, no notes on the side! And they did well.
I took their scores and found where their score ranked in comparison to similar age and similar gender scores for the exact test. This is the most reliable and valid test measure to see how you're aging in comparison to your true peers. Men vs men and women vs women . Age specific. These results can be a great motivator or a real eye-opener.
There were a couple women in today's class who were upset with one of their scores. One lady walks everyday so she was not happy when she saw that she scored in the 15th percentile for the Chair Stand which measures lower body strength. "But I walk...".... Yeah, but walking doesn't build muscle like strengthening exercises will. It's great to walk but as we get older, WE MUST DO EXERCISES DESIGNED IN INCREASE OUR STRENGTH, especially our lower body.
Several people scored poorly on the Chair Sit and Reach test. This test measures lower body flexibility which is extremely important during when we walk. If you drag your toes or trip over your own toes, it could be due to poor flexibility. If you swing your leg to the side when walking or when going up a stair, it could be because of poor lower body flexibility.
The best news I have is that those assessments taken on the first day of class are a snapshot of your fitness level THAT DAY!. You may not have worked out in 6 months, you make have been ill, whatever is going on, there is no pass or fail, this is just how you did on this day. If you score poorly, there's no place to go but up. And your body will improve. Our bodies were made to be in motion so lets' keep it that way.
I test again on the last day of class and I am proud to say that in the six years that I've been teaching FallProof™ in the Sacramento communities, I have had everyone improve in at least ONE of the fitness tests. Stick with it! It will get better!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Friday, April 4, 2014
Kisco Senior LIving offers comprehensive fall risk reduction training for Wellness Directors
Investing in your staff is one of the best ways to improve your resident's quality of life.
A company that wants to offer residents one of the best fall risk reduction programs in the country will proudly have Wellness Directors attend The Fall Prevention Lady's comprehensive training that teaches research-based fall prevention principles and demonstrates evidence-based balance exercises proven to reduce the risk of falls when done consistently.
Kisco Senior Living is that forward thinking senior living company who realizes the severity of falls among their residents and wants to invest in their staff so everyone is one the same page and working to reduce the incidence of falls. As such, they developed the 'STAND STRONG" fall risk reduction program.
Although STAND STRONG involves all teams in Kisco, the Wellness Team plays a vital role in the physical well-being of each resident. As such, two Wellness Directors from each community went to The Fall Prevention Lady's Train-the-Trainer workshop to learn about aging, balance, falls and how to reduce the risk of falls.
EDUCATE. The first step in a fall prevention program is leaning what causes a person to fall. Wellness directors listened and shared opinions as the different types of fall risk factors were discussed. The Fall Prevention Lady's "Muscles and Senses" approach to falls made it easy to understand some of the underlying causes of falls, especially if undetected.
DEMONSTRATE. Once the wellness member gathered information about a resident, it's time to plan an intervention. Since staying active is the number one way to prevent a fall, evidence-based balance and evidence-based strengthening exercises were demonstrated and practiced. This was a skills-based workshop and every attendee was expected to demonstrate a minimal competency level as an instructor in order to pass.
FACILITATE. Once the staff was trained how to assess a resident and implement a balance and strengthening exercise routine, she/he must keep the resident doing the program! Adherence to a fall prevention program is critical if the goal of reduced falls incidence is to be met. Different methods to motivate residents to stick with the program were discussed and adherence charts were given out.
STAND STRONG is a new program and like all new programs, there will be some revisions and modifications along the way. However, the fundamentals of this program will make Kisco Senior Living STAND OUT because Kisco now offers a service that no other communities offer.
In addition to offering most recent, evidence-based practices demonstrated to reduce falls, Kisco staff members are thoroughly trained in the identification of fall risks, comprehensive assessment of resident circumstances and the planning and implementation of a fall prevention exercise program that is individualized to meet resident needs and progressively challenging to help a resident meet her/his goals.
A company that wants to offer residents one of the best fall risk reduction programs in the country will proudly have Wellness Directors attend The Fall Prevention Lady's comprehensive training that teaches research-based fall prevention principles and demonstrates evidence-based balance exercises proven to reduce the risk of falls when done consistently.
Kisco Senior Living is that forward thinking senior living company who realizes the severity of falls among their residents and wants to invest in their staff so everyone is one the same page and working to reduce the incidence of falls. As such, they developed the 'STAND STRONG" fall risk reduction program.
Although STAND STRONG involves all teams in Kisco, the Wellness Team plays a vital role in the physical well-being of each resident. As such, two Wellness Directors from each community went to The Fall Prevention Lady's Train-the-Trainer workshop to learn about aging, balance, falls and how to reduce the risk of falls.
EDUCATE. The first step in a fall prevention program is leaning what causes a person to fall. Wellness directors listened and shared opinions as the different types of fall risk factors were discussed. The Fall Prevention Lady's "Muscles and Senses" approach to falls made it easy to understand some of the underlying causes of falls, especially if undetected.
DEMONSTRATE. Once the wellness member gathered information about a resident, it's time to plan an intervention. Since staying active is the number one way to prevent a fall, evidence-based balance and evidence-based strengthening exercises were demonstrated and practiced. This was a skills-based workshop and every attendee was expected to demonstrate a minimal competency level as an instructor in order to pass.
FACILITATE. Once the staff was trained how to assess a resident and implement a balance and strengthening exercise routine, she/he must keep the resident doing the program! Adherence to a fall prevention program is critical if the goal of reduced falls incidence is to be met. Different methods to motivate residents to stick with the program were discussed and adherence charts were given out.
STAND STRONG is a new program and like all new programs, there will be some revisions and modifications along the way. However, the fundamentals of this program will make Kisco Senior Living STAND OUT because Kisco now offers a service that no other communities offer.
In addition to offering most recent, evidence-based practices demonstrated to reduce falls, Kisco staff members are thoroughly trained in the identification of fall risks, comprehensive assessment of resident circumstances and the planning and implementation of a fall prevention exercise program that is individualized to meet resident needs and progressively challenging to help a resident meet her/his goals.
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