I tell people I'm the Fall Prevention Lady and I sometimes get a laugh, depending on the age of the person I'm talking to! Younger people, including baby boomers, laugh at the notion of falling being a problem and think that it's not a big deal to occasionally lose your balance. This is true if you have strong bones.
However for many older adults, the thought of falling can be a major concern, an overwhelming fear or a reality they don't want to remember. Falls can be the beginning of the end for weakened immune systems and may don't ever fully recover, either physically, emotionally or mentally, from a tumble.
EDUCATION. Fall prevention begins with education. Only after a person knows what causes instability and accidental falls can he/she be expected to make the changes.
DEMONSTRATION. Fall prevention researchers have made huge strides in the field of balance and progressive balance training that can reduce the risk of a fall. Dr. Debra Rose is one of the leading fall prevention icons in the industry and I am proud to say that I have been certified as a FallProof™ balance and mobility specialist since 2008. I have been teaching the program for years, did a thesis on fall prevention exercise and recently wrote a book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention. I am also a certified personal fitness trainer who specializes in the older adult client.
FACILITATION. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Fall prevention exercises and balance training are only effective if you do them! My Take 5 to Exercise DVDs, Basic 5 stretches, Basic 5 strengthening exercises and Basic Balance exercises are simple, easy to do and can be individualized to your ability. Just do them!
I love educating about fall risk and demonstrating effective fall prevention exercises to help keep older adults independent and free from falls. I have developed easy to follow exercises that can be done in the home. These programs work when you do it. Order my book, my DVDs or schedule a live workshop or balance training session. Get started today. It's up to you.
The Fall Prevention Lady
http://www.thefallpreventionlady.com
(916) 821-5715
Showing posts with label balance exercises for seniors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label balance exercises for seniors. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Couples who balance train together prevent falls together
I recently started in-home balance training with amazing couple, both in their early 70s, and they are doing great. Even though they are active and independent, both of them realize their balance "isn't what it used to be" and they want to do something about it BEFORE a fall happens.
This is music to my ears because most active, independent adults around their age don't think falls happen to them. They think falls happen to "old" people and even if they fell, they would simply get up and go on. This is good thinking except the older you are, the longer it can take you to recover. In fact, a fall can instantly change your life.
You might be concerned about a spouse, a parent or a loved one falling. Mrs. C is worried about her husband since he has a medical condition that requires him to take "a ton of medications" and his balance is getting worse because of them.
In fact, he has fallen several times in the past year and is concerned about his instability. After assessing him (using the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale) and several training sessions, I suspect that Mr. C has peripheral neuropathy so I recommended he visit his neurologist to get a diagnosis. I am NOT a doctor but symptoms are symptoms and falls, instability and numbness in the toes and pain in the feet are indicators of neuropathy.
Although he lacks confidence in his abilities, he is doing the exercises and showing improvement. Remember that balance is a motor skill and can improve with practice!
Mrs. C is thriving since she started fall prevention training. Our bodies were made to be in motion and now that she is doing the Basic 5 stretches and strengthening exercises, the "feel good" juices have started to flow!
She is sticking to a daily walking routine and her mood has improved, she has more energy and the swelling in her ankles has gone down. She is more aware of her posture and now notices the types of exercise that other people are doing in the park. She wondered if they all hired The Fall Prevention Lady to improve their balance and prevent falls!
She's bragging to her friends about working with a balance and mobility specialist and cannot believe what she's hearing. Their response? "Falls? Are you kidding me?" "What's the big deal about a fall?" "I don't need to worry about that yet"....
The moral? Everyone can benefit from a consistent exercise program and everyone over the age of 50 can benefit from balance training. This couple chose to learn how to prevent falls now so they can remain active and enjoy their life together.
She bought my book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention™ for her husband because she loves him and wants to help him. She gets it and she's bring him with her!
If you're concerned about a spouse or loved one, be the motivation they need. Show a loved one you care, order my book to get them started! Remember, a couple who does balance training together prevents falls together!
This is music to my ears because most active, independent adults around their age don't think falls happen to them. They think falls happen to "old" people and even if they fell, they would simply get up and go on. This is good thinking except the older you are, the longer it can take you to recover. In fact, a fall can instantly change your life.
You might be concerned about a spouse, a parent or a loved one falling. Mrs. C is worried about her husband since he has a medical condition that requires him to take "a ton of medications" and his balance is getting worse because of them.
In fact, he has fallen several times in the past year and is concerned about his instability. After assessing him (using the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale) and several training sessions, I suspect that Mr. C has peripheral neuropathy so I recommended he visit his neurologist to get a diagnosis. I am NOT a doctor but symptoms are symptoms and falls, instability and numbness in the toes and pain in the feet are indicators of neuropathy.
Although he lacks confidence in his abilities, he is doing the exercises and showing improvement. Remember that balance is a motor skill and can improve with practice!
Mrs. C is thriving since she started fall prevention training. Our bodies were made to be in motion and now that she is doing the Basic 5 stretches and strengthening exercises, the "feel good" juices have started to flow!
She is sticking to a daily walking routine and her mood has improved, she has more energy and the swelling in her ankles has gone down. She is more aware of her posture and now notices the types of exercise that other people are doing in the park. She wondered if they all hired The Fall Prevention Lady to improve their balance and prevent falls!
She's bragging to her friends about working with a balance and mobility specialist and cannot believe what she's hearing. Their response? "Falls? Are you kidding me?" "What's the big deal about a fall?" "I don't need to worry about that yet"....
The moral? Everyone can benefit from a consistent exercise program and everyone over the age of 50 can benefit from balance training. This couple chose to learn how to prevent falls now so they can remain active and enjoy their life together.
She bought my book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention™ for her husband because she loves him and wants to help him. She gets it and she's bring him with her!
If you're concerned about a spouse or loved one, be the motivation they need. Show a loved one you care, order my book to get them started! Remember, a couple who does balance training together prevents falls together!
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