The Fall Prevention Lady has moved!

Like most warm-weathered souls, I've moved south for the winter!

As of Thanksgiving 2014, the Fall Prevention Lady will be located in Pensacola, Florida for educational fall prevention workshops, 4 or 6-week FallProof™ balance training classes, customized train-the-trainer seminars, private training sessions and wellness consultations.

I am looking forward to developing new relationships with fall prevention advocates, fitness instructors and senior care providers to promote fall risk reduction lifestyles and improve balance and strength necessary to remain independent.

After much success with my personal battle with Stage 4 Head and Neck cancer (diagnosed June 2013, two surgeries, chemo and radiation completed Feb 2014), I felt it was time for a change.  I am extremely blessed to have family in California who stood beside me and made my treatment as pleasant as possible however a lot of my biological family lives in Florida; including my 92-year old grandmother, several elderly aunts, a dear uncle and cousins.

After much reflection, it became evident that it's time to nurture some extended family relationships so when the opportunity to help a family member arose, I said YES so here I am in Pensacola, Florida!

I hope that my experience and training in evidence-based fall prevention programs can contribute to the vast selection of older adult injury prevention and health promotion programs available in the northwestern region of Florida.

I am 9-months in remission and my health is very well.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or inquiries.  (916) 821-5715.

Blessings.

Fall Prevention 101 in South Carolina

I was honored when the director of the Area Agency on Agency of Central Midlands Council of Government in South Carolina invited me to do a community outreach fall prevention awareness campaign.  This was especially dear to me because I lived in Spartanburg, SC county for over eight years before the sudden death of my father and relocating to California.

A lot has changed in the twelve years since I've been in SC but mostly, the changes are within me.  For instance, my profession and life direction.   I now have my Masters Degree in Science in Therapeutic Aging.   I am now a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), a FallProof™ balance and mobility specialist, a Stepping On Master Trainer, a Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance (TCMBB) instructor and fall prevention consultant.   My life has meaning.   My career has focus.

Columbia, South Carolina is the capital of this beautiful state and the starting point for this fall prevention outreach project.  The Area Agency on Aging, a federal government funded program, fully supports and recognizes the importance of education, exercise and early detection in order to reduce the incidence of falls among our aging population.

I am here for two weeks to present my two-hour Fall Prevention 101 workshop at eight different senior centers throughout four different counties.  We have been presenting n rural areas and the feedback has been wonderful! This opportunity has taught me that falls are a major concern among ALL older adults; regardless of where you live or how much money you make.   The bottom line is everyone needs to know as much as they can to reduce the risk of an accidental fall.

I am loving my time here in central midlands South Carolina and will enjoy this last week of fall prevention presentations in Lexington county. I'm not sure what I'm going to do after this remarkable experience but one thing that has become clear to me is hat California has more than enough "fall prevention advocates".  In fact, I think it may be time for The Fall Prevention Lady to move onto the next calling.

The Fall Prevention Lady has moved to paradise...

Seasons change and sometimes life does, too.   I lived in Sacramento for ten years, got my Masters degree in Therapeutic Aging from Sac State and started my own business as the Fall Prevention Lady; a fall prevention consultant, balance and mobility specialist, published author and public speaker.   The FallProof™ balance and mobility training classes that I taught in the Sacramento community changed lives and the participants loved me.

Unfortunately, the economy has hit older adults and senior service providers especially hard.  Lack of reimbursement from insurance companies for preventative balance training is the number one barrier to my making a living in Sacramento but budget cuts within leading senior agencies and lack of discretionary income for seniors living in the community made it impossible for me to survive in Sacramento. 

I prayed and guess what?  You better watch what you pray for!  After several job interviews, I was offered a job as a personal fitness trainer for a leading fitness company, Equinox in Palos Verdes.  The demographic at this club is a perfect fit for me as the average age is 65!  My co-workers are true professionals in the field of functional fitness and each has a special niche.  I am so excited about the learning opportunities....

I am also working with my bosses to offer FallProof™ balance training at the club.  If Equinox doesn't want to offer the class, there are four other sites in the area that are interested.  I will be teaching my 4-week progressively challenging balance training program in the Palos Verdes/Rancho Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills Estates region soon!  God didn't bring me down here not to use me!

Great news....I will be offering my Fall Prevention 101™ workshop in the area, too.  I have 4 workshops scheduled for December.  If you live in the South Bay and are concerned falls or are concerned about a loved one falling, visit my website for my local workshop schedule.  Classes will begin in early January, 2013.

Time to spread the word and let people know the Fall Prevention Lady is here in southern California.  Praise God. 

Fall Prevention workshop at Baywood Court Retirement Community

Today I traveled through the rain to Castro Valley in San Francisco to give a fall prevention workshop at Baywood Court Retirement Community. Back by popular demand, this is the second year I was invited to give my educational and interactive workshop and registration had to be closed after 55 people signed up. Today's audience was eager to learn about fall risk reduction and were fully engaged during my 45-minute presentation.

Baywood Court is an exclusive retirement community nestled in beautiful Castro Valley and both the staff and residents were welcoming and friendly. Gary Pike, President and Owner of Pike and Company Strategic Marketing, arranged for my presentation and did an excellent job advertising to the local community about today's educational presentation and introductory luncheon. The older adults in attendance were not only interested in learning how to remain independent but also considering future living options.

Older adult communities that offer services such as educational and interactive seminars, delicious luncheons, friendly residents, caring staff and tremendous speakers such as the Fall Prevention Lady will succeed in the competitive market of independent living. Older adult communities that provide evidence-based balance and mobility training will succeed in keeping their residents independent and out of the assisted living wing.

All for independence and remaining so,
The Fall Prevention Lady

Kentucky Association of Adult Day Centers Conference

As the Fall Prevention Lady, I was honored to present two fall prevention workshops at the Annual KAAD (Kentucky Association of Adult Day Care Centers) conference in Lexington, KY. My first presentation discussed fall risk factors and the second presentation engaged participants in a fall prevention exercise routine. Kentucky has a strong system of adult day centers that provide both medical and social services to older adults in need and reducing the risk of falls is one of those needs. It was so exciting when Governor Steve Beshear, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State stopped in to say hello at the conference!

I have met some amazing people and learned a lot about thriving adult day centers. Unfortunately California's deplorable financial situation has led to the reduction and practical elimination of such centers. One has to wonder what will happen to older adults who cannot afford medical services, to families that are caring for an aging loved one, and older adults who are living in isolation. Adult day centers provide services that help older adults remain in their homes as well as provide respite for loved ones.

My fall prevention exercise series, Take 5 to Exercise, is a practical way to reduce fall risk. These educational DVDs guide the follower through seated stretching and strengthening exercises designed to reduce the risk of fall. The Take 5 to Exercise training principles are evidence-based and proven to work when followed consistently. As a result of the poor economy, I have drastically reduced the price of these fall prevention DVDs. Invest in your future by ordering the Complete Week of Take 5 to Exercise fall prevention exercise routines. Resistance band is included with your purchase! Click HERE to order.