FallProof your new year!!!

Happy 20-12 and I hope this is the the best year of your life! After a much-needed break, I am back and I am ready to educate, demonstrate and facilitate fall prevention methods to anyone who wants to remain independent. In 2011, working independently as a certified FallProof™ balance and mobility specialist, I instructed over 200 older adults in the Sacramento region on how to improve their balance and mobility skills thereby reducing the risk of an accidental fall.

As a Public Health Educator, I presented educational and demonstrative workshops to over 150 older adults throughout the region. These one-hour workshops are designed to increase awareness of fall risk factors. Unfortunately, there are some permanent conditions associated with aging that increase fall risk. However, this does not mean a fall is inevitable but rather personal safety is essential. Education is the key to increasing this awareness.

I am an educator and I am also an instructor. I work with small groups and I offer one-on-one personal training. There are times when a person may be too weak to join a group-based program. In this case, I recommend following my Take 5 to Exercise fall prevention DVD series to learn the basics. Unfortunately, not all older adults have a DVD player so in these instances, I suggest one-on-one personal balance and mobility training. If there is a will, there is a way!

January is a time for new beginnings. Resolutions.
Begin 20-12 by FallProofing your life! Get educated. Get active. Take 5 to Exercise everyday.
Contact me if you're interested and I hope you have a great year.

Visual training kind of day...

As the Fall Prevention Lady, I promote multi-sensory training in order to reduce the risk of an accidental fall. The sensory systems involved in balance are the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems. Each system contributes vital input about the body, the environment and one's balance. Thus, training each of these systems is necessary to reduce the risk of a fall.

I am teaching the multisensory balance and mobility training program, FallProof™, in the communities of Sacramento. Today I have three classes, all at different levels in the program, and it so happens that each class program focuses on Visual training! For me, it's a visual training kind of day. I am so thankful to be improving the quality of life for class participants, especially those who practice the program at home.

Take 5 to Exercise to prevent a fall.

FallProof™ recertification weekend

Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and injury for adults over the age of 65 (CDC, 2005). With more than 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 EACH DAY, something must be done to PREVENT these falls. Fall prevention researchers have demonstrated that participating in consistent exercise program is the number one way to reduce the risk of a fall. It's that easy.....Take 5 to Exercise each day.

FallProof™ balance and mobility program is one of the leading fall prevention programs in the country. Dr. Debra Rose's progressively challenging program begins with a thorough assessment which results in individualized programming in order to help each person maximally challenge her/his balance abilities safely. FallProof™ instructors are trained not only in these assessment procedures but also training principles.

Just as candidates for FallProof™ must meet specific criteria, so must FallProof™ instructors. Once a person is accepted into the online training program, she/he must go to the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence for a 3-day practical exam. During this time, potential instructors observe, practice and perform the tasks required for certification. Once a person is certified, she/he must meet minimum criteria within a two year period in order to be recertified.

I have met the requirements of recertification but will be observing the FallProof™ certification weekend at the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence because I love this program and want to learn more so I can be the best I can be. I am so excited about networking with other certified FallProof™ instructors from across the country; learning from their successes and failures and sharing my experiences teaching this fall prevention exercise program in the community.

Lastly, I am excited about working with new instructors. I was there and I know how it feels. I am sharing a room with a well-established fall prevention trainer from Portland and I am carpooling from Fresno with a PT student from CSUFresno. But mostly, I am looking forward to talking with Dr. Rose! She developed this amazing program and she is my mentor!

Nothing but GOOD THINGS will come from this weekend.
Thank you, Lord!