Development of Balance System as a Child and Fall Prevention as an Adult

As "The Fall Prevention Lady", a Balance and Mobility Specialist who teaches older adults how to improve balance and prevent falls, the vestibular, or inner ear equilibrium, system fascinates me.  The more I learn, the more I want to help people learn how to maintain upright position and improve daily balance.

Balance is ongoing communication between the brain and the body and  the first neural system to develop in the embryo; even an unborn fetus needs to know which end is up! ⬆⬆  Your vestibular system and reflexive balance skills continue to develop during the first five years of growth and your “reflexive” stability is proportionate to the amount of movement you did or did not do as a child. 

Think about your youth; did you play, jump up and down, spin on a merry-go round, do gymnastics or some type of flipping and flopping, rolling and tumbling on the ground?   I remember doing cartwheels, front and back bendovers, walkovers, and handsprings in the grass with my friends.  

I also clearly remember by mom, old to us then but only in her late 20s, walking outside to check on us and doing three to four back handsprings in a row when asked!  No stretching, no warm-up; she’d walk out and flip flop backwards as long as the yard allowed! 

I thank God I grew up in a time when kids played outside, tumbled, rolled, played on swing sets, ran up and down hills, jumped on trampolines and swam in lakes.  I didn’t know it at the time but I was developing my inner ear balance system and the ability to react timely and efficiently to life’s imbalances. 

Kelly Ward, aka
The Fall Prevention Lady

Of course I fell down but I was a kid and falling wasn’t a big deal; it was expected! That what kids do.  I felt dirt on my feet, the grass between my toes, the heat from sidewalks and the cold from ice and snow.  I smelled mom’s cooking, I smelled the neighbor’s cooking.  I smelled country air. 

I stimulated my sensory systems, which activated different parts of the brain which resulted in healthy neural development.  Being active as a child, I stimulated my vestibular system regularly and as a result, my balance and sports skills were exceptional.  

I went on to become a three-sport Varsity athlete (field hockey, basketball and lacrosse) and earn a full basketball scholarship.  Today, my balance is better than ever because I am “The Fall Prevention Lady” and I practice balance drills regularly!

My question to you, “what was your childhood like”?  Did you play outside?  Did you play inside?  Were you active or sedentary?  If you read a lot and did not get much physical activity, your “balance system” may not have received much activation.  Poor activation results in decreased brain function due to weak input signals.

Does that mean it’s over for you?  Does that mean you have to accept it and deal with it?

NO and NO!  It’s never too late to improve your balance.  There are very specific drills you can do, at your own pace, to train your balance and improve stability.  

I offer Skype (online) training sessions and private sessions within a 45-mile radius of Fair Oaks California.  I also offer partner and small group training and Brains and Balance Training classes.  

You don't have to accept and live with a disorder; you can train your brain to improve balance, vision and movement.  Movement is life.  Time to start living!

Grant-funded fall prevention program in Sacramento

The Sierra Health Foundation recently awarded the North Sacramento Grandparents Support Group (NSGSG) a grant for fall prevention education and balance training classes to keep grandparents who are raising grandchildren healthy and free from falls. 

I collaborated with the administrators of the NSGSG to develop the program and am proud to be implementing my educational Fall Prevention 101 workshops and evidence-based FallProof™ balance training sessions throughout the Sacramento area over the next year.  

This grant-funded program enables me to educate a segment of the population whom I would not otherwise be able to work with; grandparents raising grandkids!   I'm used to working with older adults who seek out fall prevention services and balance training classes to remain independent.  This group of older adults may be aware of the seriousness of a fall but they do not know that falls can be prevented or have the time and resources to attend this type of program.

So we're bringing it to them!  All classes and workshops have PlayCare available for infants and toddlers so the grandparent can take care of their needs without worry. 

The first balance training class started Tuesday, August 6th at Northminster Presbyterian Church and will meet for one-hour, twice a week for four weeks.  The class is full with 15 participants of all ages and abilities.  I love what I do and I can't wait to see lives transform.

Fall Prevention 101 workshop: 
Monday, August 19:  10am-11:30am
Northminster Presbyterian Church 3235 Pope Ave   95821

Next FallProof Balance Training Class:
Sept. 3- Sept. 27:  Tues/Fri, 11-noon
Lilliput Children's Services  2750 Sutterville Road (Cottage #3 at Sacramento Children's Home) 95820

So Blessed!
The Fall Prevention Lady

Needed: Location to teach FallProof balance training

HELP WANTED!

I need locations in the South Bay/Palos Verdes/Los Angeles area in Southern California to teach a 4-week progressively challenging balance program that's designed to prevent falls, improve balance, and increase balance confidence in the older adult population.

Class meets for one-hour twice a week for four weeks.  Eight sessions.  I carry liability insurance and I want to help older adults remain independent and not fall down. This nationally-recognized program works!  I have been teaching it for over two years and have seen hundreds of lives transformed.

The program I teach, FallProof, is an evidence-based balance and mobility training program that is taught by certified specialists who are thoroughly trained in the progressively challenging balance techniques; many that are used by physical therapists after a fall. 

Physical therapists at ActiveRX don't want me to offer these classes there because I'll put them out of business!  If you don't fall, you won't need physical therapy.  Unfortunately my classes are not covered by Medicare (YET) but prevention training not only SAVES MONEY but also SAVES LIVES.

Assisted living facilities think they offer "fall prevention" classes but most staff who teach those classes are not certified balance and mobility specialists, personal fitness trainers or public health educators.  I can guarantee they don't have my experience in balance and mobility training.

If you want to offer a dynamic class that is fun and improves the quality of people's lives, please contact me, Kelly Ward, The Fall Prevention Lady.
Your participants, clients and members will thank you.  Your parents will thank you.

(916) 821-5715
info@thefallpreventionlady.com