Brain-based Training with Parkinson's Disease

After my Fall Prevention 101 and Parkinson's Disease presentation at the Parkinson's Disease support group in Lincoln Hills, I started working with several people for private sessions in their home in the Lincoln Hills neighborhood.  Ironically, I just started in-home brain-based balance and fall prevention training with another woman who is living w/Parkinson's .  I'm visiting her in her Carmichael home for private sessions.

That's three new clients living with Parkinson's within one week: talk about a sign that I'm supposed to work with Parkinson's Disease right now!  Praise God!

Although these people share the same diagnosis, each person is totally unique.  Every brain is different.  Although there are some similarities in my approach to activating their nervous systems, their training programs are different.  Through systematic testing and retesting, I determine which areas of the brain need more activation and which areas might need inhibition.

Discovering these key pieces of information about the brain is a process and critical for precise results.  All this is done through sensory tests that activate the cranial nerves, and peripheral nerves.   Different inputs, different results.  The direction of head turns and eye movements are unique to each brain but once we find the "high payoff" drills, it's magic!

Movement is Life.  It's time to start LIVING

Results are measured by one of several fitness indictators.  Everything is personalized.
Living with Parkinson's is a lifelong challenge.  Thanks to neuroscience research and recent discoveries, there are simple ways to activate areas of the brain affected by Parkinson's.  The more you activate these areas, the better you feel.

Neuro-training will not cure you of Parkinson's but it can significantly improve the quality of your life while living with it.  The brain loves sensory input and there are fun ways to activate dopamine production naturally.  Ways to stimulate the basal ganglia for better movement.  Ways to activate the cerebellum to reduce tremors.

If you don't use it, you lose it.  Work with me and I will show you how to activate areas of the brainstem, frontal lobe, cortex and cerebellum for better balance, accuracy and coordination.  One session will not eliminate your problems but will get us on the right track.

Think one week of brain-based training for every month you have had Parkinson's.  Holistic, brain activation drills to immediately improve balance, vision, movement and pain.  You're worth it.

Sign up for your personalized brain-activation program for better balance, movement and vision.  Less pain, too.

Schedule your 90-minute consult today.  In-home or Video-Conference.  $150.
info@thefallpreventionlady.com

I can tie my own shoes now!!!

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

Intermediate, Ongoing Balance and Mobility Training

Finally!!!  I will be offering ongoing, intermediate level balance and mobility training class in Sacramento for anyone who has graduated The Fall Prevention Lady's four-week FallProof™ beginner level program.

Details:

• Tuesday and Thursday mornings 
• 10:30a-Noon 
• Fit4-U Fitness Studio  (4440 Marconi Ave, next to Tricks Gymnastics)
• $99 punch card

Eligibility:

• Attended my 4- or 6-week FallProof™ beginner program
• Able to walk more than 300 feet without assistive device
• No uncontrolled medical conditions
• Cognitively intact

This is balance training at the next level.

As a balance and mobility specialist, corrective exercise trainer and movement specialist, I will implement a variety of training techniques designed to help mature adults move better with less pain.

The main focus of the intermediate classes will be FallProof™ balance and mobility training techniques however some brain training www.ontheztrain.wordpress.com will be practiced as I teach you how to break poor movement habits and learn more efficient, pain-free patterns.

Mark your calendars!

What is FallProof™.... with the Fall Prevention Lady

FallProof™ is a multi-dimensional, physical therapy-based approach to the muscular, sensory and behavioral imbalances that occur as we age.  This program progressively challenges the different senses as well as the muscles involved in balance and is proven to improve strength, flexibility, awareness and ability to respond to circumstances that can cause a person to fall.

Feedback from prior class attendees is that this class should be required for everyone over the age of 60; especially people who want to stay independent and enjoy their hard-earned retirement years.

Kelly Ward, aka, "The Fall Prevention Lady"  has been a certified FallProof™ balance and mobility specialist since 2008 and is the only certified FallProof™ specialist practicing in the Sacramento region.  To maintain certification, specialists must meet competency and contact hour requirements every two years.   CAUTION... make sure your FallProof™ specialist is currently certified.  It's for your protection.

Dr. Debra Rose, director of the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, co-director of the Center for Successful Aging and world-renowned fall prevention expert, created FallProof™ balance and mobility training with a specific audience in mind; people over age 60, who live at home and who are at high to moderate risk of falls.

How do you know if you're at risk, not to mention moderate/high risk of falls?

• You have fallen in the past six months
• You are concerned about falling
• You are living with peripheral neuropathy
• You are living with limited vision

You feel it...

• You feel unsteady when walking
• You need to use your hands when getting up from the chair
• You feel your balance "isn't what it used to be"
• You 'feel wobbly'

In my professional opinion, FallProof is the best balance and mobility training program for mature adults who live at home and want to stay there.   It's not rocket science however balance-specific exercises are required for maintenance.  The training techniques you learn will stick with you for life!  

"Walking the Cats" in a FallProof™ balance class

• If you want to keep what you have; if you're happy with what you can do right now...this program is for you.

• If you want to improve your balance, feel stronger when you stand up, feel more stable when you're walking or stop suddenly when walking; this program is for you. 

• This program is for ANYONE who is concerned about their balance or who has ever thought about "not ending up like your parents".  

Balance is important.  More so than we think....until we lose it.  Do me a favor; stop right now and try to name two people who have fallen or whose life has been changed because of an accidental slip, trip or fall.....

If you can name two people whose life has been changed because of a fall, DON'T BE THE THIRD!  Statistically, one in three people over the age of 65 fall each year (CDC).  FallProof™ is proven to increase strength, flexibility and confidence; major fall risk factors as we age.

Upcoming 4-week FallProof balance training classes:
1.  Thursday, March 30.  T/Th, 10:30-noon.  Fit4-U.  4440 Marconi Ave.  $99.  Ends April 27.
2.  Tuesday, April 18.  T/Th, 1:30-3:00pm.  Parkside Church.  5700 S. Land Park Dr. Ends May 11.

Visit my website, THE FALL PREVENTION LADY for more information.
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Greatest Improvement Award is a TIE; 66 and 69 year old

We just finished another awesome 4-week FallProof™ balance training session at Fit-4U Fitness Studio and the results are in!  Everyone, from age 66-81, improved in at least TWO areas of physical fitness directly involved in daily balance.

The greatest improvements were seen in lower body strength and lower body flexibility; both essential in a steady walking gait, reduced tripping hazards and improved reaction times.  I use standardized senior fitness tests to do pre-and post-testing; after all, you're guessing if you're not assessing.

The (69) sixty-nine year old participant results:

• Lower body Strength:  75% stronger in pre-and post-scores
• Lower body Flexibility:  Gained an inch of flexibility and movement
• Dynamic Balance and Agiliity: Quicker by one and half seconds

(66) sixty-six year old female:

• Increased lower body strength by 15% however she is now in the 100th percentile of women same age.
• Increased lower body flexibility by three and a half inches; placing her in the 13th percentile for similar age and gender

Excellent job everyone in the class!

While I love seeing huge improvements like these, four weeks is an unusually short time to expect such results.  It is not a competition but these numbers do not lie; your body was made to be in motion.  Let's keep it that way!

Next class begins March 30th.

• Visit my website and save your spot! The Fall Prevention Lady 
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Post-balance training test results are in and this is amazing!

I just finished coaching a four-week FallProof™ balance training session at a local church here in Carmichael, California.  Even though we had a small group, the improvements were HUGE~

I test fitness parameters associated with fall risk both the first and last day of class to measure the effectiveness of the classes.  I do this for several reasons; one, I am a firm believer in using standardized tests to measure the effectiveness of intervention strategies.  Secondly, I am a firm believer in the FallProof™ program and have been keeping data for over eight years to show the effectiveness of the program and the methodology of instruction.

Lastly, numbers don't lie.  Balance can be a subjective feeling that is hard to measure so having pre-and post-data clearly shows the impact of participating in the class on the three fitness parameters associated with balance and falls.

Ages varied from 67 to 89. Fitness levels ranged from highly independent and active to high fall-risk.   Here are the results:

•  Dynamic Balance:  89 yo improved her speed and agility by 2.5 seconds  (+2.5 seconds)
•  Lower body strength:  67 yo increased leg strength by 5 chair stands, putting her in the 100th   percentile for women her age  (+5 stands)
• Lower body flexibility:
• 89 yo man: improved (4)four inches in (4)four weeks   (+4.1 inches)
• 81 yo woman:  increased flexibility 6.5 inches in four weeks  (+6.5 inches)

I am so proud everyone in the class.  These people "get it" and understand the importance of consistent movement to remain independent .  They also "get" the fact that balance can improve but it takes effort.  Isn't your independence and vitality worth the effort?  

Next class starting March 30th at Fit-4U Fitness Studio. 

Contact me at info@thefallpreventionlady.com

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Visit my website:  The Fall Prevention Lady.com

BENEFITS OF FALLPROOF BALANCE TRAINING

For nearly a decade, I have been doing what I love and living my purpose; teaching older adults how to improve balance and strength so they 

DO NOT FALL DOWN!

Dr. Debra Rose designed FallProof™ balance training with a specific target audience in mind.  Although FallProof™ is not for everyone, I have seen people of all ability levels benefit from the program and hundreds of lives have changed for the better because of this program.  

Benefits:

The Fallroof™ program has been proven to reduce the risk of falling in participants who have completed one or more rotations of the program. The goal of FallProof™ is to deliver:

• Improved postural alignment
• Increased limits of stability
• Improved integration of sensory information
• Increased confidence
• Improved performance of activities of daily life
• Heightened awareness of risk factors and circumstances
• Improved walking ability
• Improved ability to recover from loss of balance

One achieves these benefits from the structured and progressive program of activities specifically designed to address the multiple dimensions that contribute to balance and mobility.  THIS IS NOT YOUR SENIOR CENTER FALL PREVENTION CLASS!!!

Techniques taught by balance and mobility specialists include: 

• Center of Gravity Control Training
• Multisensory Training
• Postural Strategy Training
• Gait Pattern Enhancement Variation Training
• Strength & Flexibility Training

Improvements are measured by pre- and post-assessment testing.  

Obviously, volunteers cannot teach this class.  A person cannot become a FallProof™ specialist after a 3-day training.  Certified specialists are required to re-test every two years in order to maintain certification.  WARNING:  There are people who were certified and have failed to maintain their certification.  Not only is this unsafe for the consumer but it also lacks integrity and fidelity to the program.  Ask your instructor if she is currently certified. 

As I mentioned, FallProof™ was designed with a specific target audience in mind.  The ideal candidate for the classes I teach meet the following criteria:

• Community dwelling, live independently in own home or apartment
• Able to safely walk a distance of 200 feet without the use of any assistive device (cane or walker)
• No memory loss or cognitive impairment likely to adversely impact judgment and/or decision-making abilities
• No unstable medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or asthma)

 If you meet these criteria and are ready for results, 

please visit my website for dates and locations of upcoming classes.  

www.thefallpreventionlady.com

Walk Steady. Stop Confidently.

 A class in Sacramento that teaches you how to 

walk steady and stop confidently!

The FallProof™ balance and mobility training program is the best program for anyone over the age of 60 who is living life at home and realizes your balance is getting worse and you want to do something about it before a fall so I can stay at home and live the quality life you have worked so hard to enjoy!  FallProof™ is also perfect for anyone who may have already fallen and DOES NOT WANT TO FALL DOWN AGAIN!

FallProof is a theory-based, multi-sensory balance training program that was developed years ahead of it's time!  I fell in love with this program from my first exposure in one of creator Dr. Debra Rose's workshops at the International Council on Active Aging Conference in 2007!  

After spending time at the conference with Dr. Rose's team of graduate gerokinesiology students, I knew I wanted to be certified FallProof™ balance and mobility specialist and coach older adults through this progressively challenging program to improve their balance, increase self-confidence and reduce fall risk. 

That was over ten years ago!  It's been quite a decade but I have continued to offer the best balance training class for older adults throughout the Sacramento region.

If you're 'ambulatory', 'mobile', or 'barely get around', this class is for you!  This balance training session is in Carmichael area, close to Whole Foods.  Love to see you there this week.  

UPCOMING FALLPROOF CLASS IN SACRAMENTO:  

WHERE:    Parkside Community Church
                   5700 S. Land Park Dr.  Sacramento, CA 95822

WHEN:  Feb.14- March 9th

DAYS:    Tuesday and Thursday afternoons

TIMES:   1pm-2:30pm

COST:    $99 per person
REGISTER:  info@thefallpreventionlady.com

STAND Tall Don't Fall

Here is a fun video for the Stand Tall Don't Fall pilot program I am doing with Eskaton and Dignity Health in Carmichael, California.

The people featured in this video were the members of the first six (6)-week FallProof™ balance and mobility training class of the program.  Everyone in the class improved in at least two of the fitness parameters associated with fall risk.

The oldest class member was 96-year old gentleman in green and the youngest was 69-year old assistant. I am the short-haired tall thin lady in orange!

FallProof™ is a multi-sensory balance training program proven to reduce fall risk and improve balance confidence.  Designed by Dr. Debra Rose, Director of the Center for Successful Aging in Fullerton, FallProof™ was designed for independent older adults who have been identified as moderate to high fall risk.

Have fun, meet new friends, challenge your balance and prevent a fall!