Time to try something new in fall prevention

Should we do what we've always done?  Maybe?  But, what if they way we had always done it was wrong?  Lee Cockrell, Creating Magic.

Great quote that every personal trainer, group exercise instructor and program coordinator should consider.  Things change.  Research studies unveil new methods that work and explain why old methods don't work. NOTHING IS FOREVER.

Unfortunately, government agencies only accept evidence-based programs for funding.  This is a disservice to older adults everywhere because by the time the program is approved, it's already outdated.  Newer, more efficient methods of balance training and fall prevention exist.

If you've been following the same program for years, or months and you're not getting results, it's time to try something new.  It's time to open your mind and do something different.

Change and growth occur outside of your comfort zone.  Brain-based training is the future of fitness.  Training your vision, inner ear and joint receptors are the future of training.  If your trainer isn't training your vision, ask why not.

I'm not a eye doctor but I am movement specialist.  Your eyes have muscles, six for each eye.  I train the eye muscles for better eye movement and better vision.  You will be amazed at the results you get when you learn how to move your eyes.

Time to try something new.
Brains and Balance Training with Coach Kelly
Balance Training 101 with Coach Kelly.

Stay on your feet for the HOLIDAYS!!!

Believe it or not, there are only eight (8) Fridays until Christmas!  That means it's time to go shopping and face the crowds.  The older we get, the scarier big crowds become since people don't pay attention to where they're going and most of the time there are kids running around like wild animals.   Not a good combination for someone who's balance 'isn't what it used to be'....

DON'T FEAR!  You have plenty of time to improve your balance skills and get "FallProof™'ed for the holidays!  Certified balance and mobility specialist and national public speaker, Kelly Ward, aka, The Fall Prevention Lady,  is offering educational workshops and condensed balance training sessions designed to keep you on your feet and to fit anyone's busy schedule.

Avoid a fall this holiday season.  First line of defense:  learn what's causing your imbalance.  Second, practice evidence-based balance training techniques designed to prevent falls and thirdly,  learn life-saving tips that you will use long after the holiday rush.

How can you stay balanced?  Simply join Sacramento's own "Fall Prevention Lady" for one of her dynamic "Fall Prevention 101™" workshops followed by her new "Balance Training 101™"exercises classes.   Learn what causes falls and then learn how to improve your balance.   Kelly teaches physical therapy training techniques that you can modify to fit your fitness level and unique challenges.

You must attend the educational workshop (Fall Prevention 101) to attend the ninety-minute Balance Training 101 exercise class.  If you want to continue taking classes to improve your balance, Kelly is offering both two-week and four-week FallProof™ balance training sessions at Parkside Community Church.  

Please visit Kelly's website, THE FALL PREVENTION LADY.COM under local schedule to find out where she will be offering these life-saving classes.

Classes start in November and early December!  Invest in yourself this holiday and give yourself the gift of balance.   You deserve it and remember, be good to yourself so you can be good to those you love.

Happy Holidays.  Already!
The Fall Prevention Lady

Death, Taxes and Exercise.

There are some things in life that we just have to accept.  Death and taxes are two of them and the third is exercise.  Death is inevitable, we have to pay taxes and if you want to do the things you enjoy, you have to do some type of exercise. 

Some people enjoy exercise and others can't stand it.  Some people want to stay in their homes and out of assisted living facilities for as long as possible and others don't care what happens to them.  There's a connection between exercise and staying in your home.   If you want you want to stay at home, you must do some type of physical activity.  Regularly.

I'm not talking about running marathons, aerobic dancing like Jane Fonda or prancing around with Richard Simmons but I am talking about basic stretching, strengthening and balance exercises.   Doing these different kinds of activity can reduce your risk of a fall and help you stay in your home.

I have a client and she hates to exercise.  If it were her choice, she would sit in her Lazy-Boy all day and not do anything other than eat, sleep and watch TV.  She ended up in the hospital after a fall and had to go to rehab hospital for a few days.  

All she wanted was to go home but couldn't be released until she was strong enough.  Once she got home, she has to continue doing the exercises if she wants to stay there. 
Enter the Fall Prevention Lady! 
While I visit her twice a week, it's her choice whether or not to do the exercises I assign her. 

She and I had a heart to heart last week after a frustrating session.  I explained that she had to do some basic exercises (a list I provide in my new book, The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention) if she wanted to stay out of assisted living.

 It's that simple; if you love your home and want to stay there, you have to put forth some effort to exercise on a regular basis.   Accept exercise now so you don't have to face death sooner.

Another "ahaaa" moment in fall prevention class

As you know, I teach fall prevention exercise classes throughout the Sacramento region. I am currently teaching a balance and mobility training session at Carmichael Presbyterian Church in Carmichael and this small group is thriving! In fact, they are enjoying the training so much that they want to extend the session from the original 4-week session to the 6-week training package.

In today's class, one lady shared two revelations or "A-HAAAAAAA" moments that she had over the weekend. In other words, the light bulb went off and she suddenly understood, very clearly, two concepts that I have been teaching since the first day of class. These moments occur when a person applies the training principles in everyday life. When she/he is practicing what is taught in class.

Her realization was how important it is to pay attention to where she is looking while standing or walking. A person tends to fall in the direction that she is looking so if you are looking down at the ground, your chances of falling down if something unexpected happens (bumped, stumble, trip) are pretty good.

She went on to tell us that she observed people at the park and EVERY SINGLE PERSON was looking at the ground while walking. She noticed people's forward-rounded postures, chins pointing to the ground (or cell phone) and eyes focused on the ground. I'm not saying to ignore the surface you're walking on but there is a research-based training principle that can help you reduce the risk of a fall simply by changing where you're looking.

Postural awareness is a vital component of my balance training and so is multi-sensory training. We are a vision-dependent society when it comes to balance so I strongly recommend you get into a training program that challenges your vision, vestibular and somatosensory systems, if possible. If not, stay tuned...I am creating a new fall prevention product that will benefit everyone!

Her other A-HAAAA moment? Stay tuned. I will discuss that next time.

Hottest trend in fall prevention exercise classes hits Sacramento

As the Fall Prevention Lady, I teach balance and mobility training classes in the Sacramento region. These fall prevention exercise classes meet twice a week for 4-weeks and enrollment is closed after the second class. These beginner level classes are perfect for older adults who have not exercised in years, who have been released from physical therapy but are not ready for community-based 'senior fitness' classes, anyone who has fallen or is concerned about falling.

I have been teaching summer sessions at Parkside Community Church, Clarksburg Community Church, Fremont Presbyterian Church and St. John's Retirement Village. I started at Parkside with a beginner level and now offer intermediate and advanced levels for those who have completed the first level of balance training. These training sessions are progressively challenging and build on skills taught in the first few classes which is why a person cannot join after the first week.

I have just added two new class locations to my September schedule. I will be teaching at the Senior Connection in Fair Oaks and the Carmichael Presbyterian Church. I also added two classes to the October schedule; I will be teaching classes at the Asian Community Center and the Swanston Community Center. And guess what? I have plenty of time in my schedule for more classes!

If you live in the Sacramento region and are interested in hosting or attending a FallProof™ balance and mobility training session, contact me, the Fall Prevention Lady.

Do it for your independence. Do it for your loved ones. Do it for you.

Email: info@thefallpreventionlady.com

Telephone: 916-821-5715.

Please note: There is a reasonable cost to attend these classes.

Be aware that exercise is the #1 way to prevent a fall

I am presenting six fall prevention workshops for the City of Sacramento's 50+ Wellness program's "Stand Up to Falls" program. The target group is community dwelling older adults who are concerned about falling or who have fallen and want to learn how they can reduce the risk of another fall. It amazes me that people do not associate exercise with fall prevention.
The first workshop went extremely well and I learned as much from the participants as they learned from me. Everyone wanted to know how to prevent a fall and the answer is simple: EXERCISE DAILY! The best way to prevent a fall is to engage in a regular exercise program designed to strengthen and stretch your muscles, increase postural awareness, and challenge your balance. These are necessary components of a fall risk reduction exercise program.

Make the time to exercise each day. Follow along with your favorite senior exercise video. That is the best way to prevent a fall.
The Fall Prevention Lady