I will be facilitating my second Stepping On fall prevention program at the Jewish Family & Children's Service center in Long Beach, CA. Non-profit home modification company, Hearts of Ida is sponsoring my leadership in this seven-week program and it begins Thursday March 7th.
Stepping On is an evidence-based fall prevention program developed by Dr. Lindy Clemson of Australia but was adapted by the Wisconsin Institute of Health Aging (WIHA). The
California Department of Public Health sponsored my Master Leader training in Wisconsin last summer and luckily, Hearts of Ida appreciated the value in this program and sponsored my two programs in southern California.
I am being trained to be a "Master Trainer" in the Stepping On program on Monday. Upon successful completion of the training and competencies, I will be certified to teach other trainers to facilitate the amazing seven-week program that collaborates with local experts including a physical therapist, pharmacist, low vision and community safety expert.
This is a great program and I am honored to be integral in bringing this fall prevention decision making and confidence building program to California.
Showing posts with label Stepping On fall prevention program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stepping On fall prevention program. Show all posts
Monday, March 4, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
1st Stepping On fall prevention program in Long Beach
This past summer (2012), the California Department of Public Health sent me to Madison, WI for training as a Master Trainer in the evidence-based Stepping On fall prevention program. I enjoyed three days in warm and sunny Madison learning how to be a facilitator, not a "balance specialist".
As a certified FallProof balance and moblility specialist, I was a bit skeptical of the Stepping On program at first because I firmly believe in Dr. Rose's program. However, we all know there is more than one way to improve balance and I have to say that after leading a group of nine older adults through the seven-week Stepping On program, I am a stout supporter of the benefits of this colloborative program.
As a Stepping On Master Leader, I am a facilitator. I do not answer questions directly but I encourage the decision making and problem solving abilities of the participants. It was wonderful to hear the group "think" through situations and identify causes of falls, how to prevent future falls, barriers to behavior change and how to maintain safe behavior.
In today's last session, members reported increased balance confidence and an increased awareness of things that cause falls. The group at Bixby Knolls Towers in Long Beach was extremely educated about falls well informed about obvious dangers. However everyone said they learned something valuable, especially how to do exercises that improve balance and how to advance those exercises when ready.
True, this is not a "balance and mobility" program but it does implement basic strengthening and balance exercises that do improve balance. The best thing is the facilitation of a daily routine via an exercise log. I have incorporated the exercise log into my balance classes and in-home training services. Love it.
I"m Stepping On in Long Beach!
And LOVING IT!
As a certified FallProof balance and moblility specialist, I was a bit skeptical of the Stepping On program at first because I firmly believe in Dr. Rose's program. However, we all know there is more than one way to improve balance and I have to say that after leading a group of nine older adults through the seven-week Stepping On program, I am a stout supporter of the benefits of this colloborative program.
As a Stepping On Master Leader, I am a facilitator. I do not answer questions directly but I encourage the decision making and problem solving abilities of the participants. It was wonderful to hear the group "think" through situations and identify causes of falls, how to prevent future falls, barriers to behavior change and how to maintain safe behavior.
In today's last session, members reported increased balance confidence and an increased awareness of things that cause falls. The group at Bixby Knolls Towers in Long Beach was extremely educated about falls well informed about obvious dangers. However everyone said they learned something valuable, especially how to do exercises that improve balance and how to advance those exercises when ready.
True, this is not a "balance and mobility" program but it does implement basic strengthening and balance exercises that do improve balance. The best thing is the facilitation of a daily routine via an exercise log. I have incorporated the exercise log into my balance classes and in-home training services. Love it.
I"m Stepping On in Long Beach!
And LOVING IT!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Decide to prevent falls
The Stepping On fall prevention program (created by Dr. Lindy Clemson of Australia) is an amazing program. I just completed a three-day Leader training program at the Wisconsin Institute of Healthy Aging in Madison, Wisconsin and I am so excited about bringing this program to California.
The 7-week program for older adults is designed to reduce fall risk and increase confidence in situations where a person may be at risk of a fall. This evidence-based program is about building self-confidence, making decisions, and changing behaviors to prevent falls. It truly encourages the participant to take responsibility and make wise choices to prevent a fall.
As a Stepping On workshop leader, I will take off my "balance and mobility specialist" hat, remove my Fall Prevention Lady title and become a facilitator of change the Stepping On way!!!
Because fall prevention is about collaboration within the community, guest experts are invited each week to discuss topics such as strength and balance, vision, community safety, and medication management. Other topics that we will discuss are home hazards, safe footwear, how to get up after a fall, safety in public places, and any other concerns the group may have.
Similar to my community-based balance and mobility classes, the size of the group is limited to 10-14 people. The Stepping On program is designed for the same target population as FallProof™:
In otherwords, the program is for those who live at home, who want to stay at home, remain independent and learn how to prevent a future fall.
I am working with the California Department of Public Health to present this program in the Sacramento area and I look forward to seeing how the program changes peoples lives. I hope this turns into a full or part-time position that allows me to travel throughout the state teaching others how to teach the program.
Although not endorsed specifically by the leaders, my book is a perfect supplement to this program. Why? Because I teach about situations that increase the risk of a fall and how to reduce that risk. I demonstrate evidence-based balance and strengthening exercises in addition to flexibility and endurance activities and I facilitate practice at home with adherence charts and checklists.
Check out my book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention! It's right on time!
Stepping On,
The Fall Prevention Lady
The 7-week program for older adults is designed to reduce fall risk and increase confidence in situations where a person may be at risk of a fall. This evidence-based program is about building self-confidence, making decisions, and changing behaviors to prevent falls. It truly encourages the participant to take responsibility and make wise choices to prevent a fall.
As a Stepping On workshop leader, I will take off my "balance and mobility specialist" hat, remove my Fall Prevention Lady title and become a facilitator of change the Stepping On way!!!
Because fall prevention is about collaboration within the community, guest experts are invited each week to discuss topics such as strength and balance, vision, community safety, and medication management. Other topics that we will discuss are home hazards, safe footwear, how to get up after a fall, safety in public places, and any other concerns the group may have.
Similar to my community-based balance and mobility classes, the size of the group is limited to 10-14 people. The Stepping On program is designed for the same target population as FallProof™: - Adults over the age of 60
- Live independently in the community
- Have fallen or are at risk of falling
- Are cognitively intact (no dementia)
- Do not use an assistive device such as a cane or walker for mobility.
In otherwords, the program is for those who live at home, who want to stay at home, remain independent and learn how to prevent a future fall.
I am working with the California Department of Public Health to present this program in the Sacramento area and I look forward to seeing how the program changes peoples lives. I hope this turns into a full or part-time position that allows me to travel throughout the state teaching others how to teach the program.
Although not endorsed specifically by the leaders, my book is a perfect supplement to this program. Why? Because I teach about situations that increase the risk of a fall and how to reduce that risk. I demonstrate evidence-based balance and strengthening exercises in addition to flexibility and endurance activities and I facilitate practice at home with adherence charts and checklists.
Check out my book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention! It's right on time!
Stepping On,
The Fall Prevention Lady
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