While the face of participants in my FallProof™ balance & mobility classes is getting younger, I still have the honor of coaching a few people over the age of 80. In the April session at Fit4-U, I had both the 83-year old mom and her 56-year old daughter in class. This was quite a combination and both did exceptionally well. In fact, the oldest member of the class was also the most improved!
Barbara came to the Fall Prevention 101 workshop I presented at the local Church of Latter Day Saints and she was told me she eager to get started on the homework exercises since her balance was 'horrible'. She was the first person in the door on the first day of balance training and she proudly stated that she had been doing her homework every night!
She came to class using a walker and said she only used it once in awhile and mostly because her daughter was so worried about her balance. I assured her it was ok to use it when necessary and smiled as I said, 'you won't be needing that when I'm done with you!'.
By the fourth class, Barbara had switched from bringing her walker with her to carrying a cane. She didn't use either in class but carried them 'just in case'. The improvement in her walking gait became evident to everyone by the fifth class; she was standing taller, no longer looked at the floor and her walking stride was longer and stronger.
On the first day of class, she refused to do the sit and reach assessment because her back and legs were so stiff, it hurt for her to bend forward toward her toes. I showed her a modified way to do that exercise and on the last day, she not only did the assessment but also scored in the 37th percentile for women her age in lower body flexibility!!!
At the last class, she was so excited about everyone's kind responses to her noticeable posture and walking gait improvements. She was in tears as she recollected how she couldn't touch her toes or put on her own shoes before participating in this class. She smiled ear to ear as she talked about how surprised her daughter in Arizona will be with her improvement when she visits next month.
A wise, vibrant woman, Barbara gets the connection between staying active and being independent. She can't wait to repeat the beginner class in June and I can't wait to see her again, too!
Movement is life. Start living.
The Fall Prevention Lady
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