Fall Prevention exercise research study seeking participants in Sacramento, CA

Have you fallen? Are you afraid of falling?
Do you want to reduce the risk of falling?

IF so, this FALL PREVENTION RESEARCH STUDY may be just for you!

Why: The purpose of this California State University, Sacramento approved research study is to investigate the relationship between participating in the FallProof™at Home DVD program and fall risk reduction.

WHAT:

• Fall Prevevention exercise DVD program
• 12-week study
• Strictly voluntary participation: no financial compensation

HOW:

• Follow along with DVD program in your home
• Complete weekly adherence calendar
  
• Researcher provides next level of DVD program every 4 weeks
• Randomized assignment to study group (follows DVD program) or control group (no intervention, no new exercise program)
  
• Control group offered the FallProof™ at Home DVD program upon completion of study

WHERE:

• IN your home
• Pre- and Post-test assessments at local community or senior center

In order to participate, you must meet strict eligibility requirements:

WHO:

• over the age of 65
• Live independently in house or apartment
• Do not require an assistive device for mobility (can walk 200 feet independently)
• Must have fallen at least once in prior year or have 1+ fall risk factors
• Do not have cognitive impairment
• Do not have heart disease, respiratory, or circulation disease that impairs ability to function independently
• Do no have a progressive neurological condition (Parkinson's Disease, MS)
• Must have DVD player o access to one 3 times a week

WHEN:

• Oak Park Community Center: Aug 3, 10:30-3:30. 3425 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 95817
  
• Cordova Senior Activities Center: August 7, 10-2. 3480 Routier Road 95827
  
• South Natomas Community Center: August 10, 1-5. 2921 Truxel Road 95833
  
• Eskaton: August 18, 1-5. 5959 65th Street 95823
  

If you meet study requirements & want to be part of this fall prevention research study,

RESERVE YOUR APPOINTMENT. PLEASE CONTACT:

Kelly Ward (916) 821-5715 livinfit@gmail.com

Kelly Ward is a graduate student of the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration department at California State University, Sacramento. This research study design has been approved by CSUS human subjects committee.

FallProof™ is a nationally recognized balance and mobility program designed by Dr. Debra Rose of the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence. This is a pilot study of the FallProof at Home DVD series.

Senior Fitness Testing in Sacramento...

" You're guessing if you're not assessing"- Paul Chek.

Life events and individual physical abilities greatly influence the way we move and the pain we feel each day. The daily choices a person makes also affects physical capability. The result: everyone ages differently. Rikli and Jones' Senior Fitness Test assesses the five physical parameters relevant to functional fitness:

• Muscular strength

• Aerobic endurance

• Flexibility (upper and lower-body)

• Agility/dynamic balance

• Body mass index

Test results of the Senior Fitness Test reflect age-related changes in physical performance because test results are categorized to gender and age. This is a great way to see how you are aging in relation to adults in your same age group.
Saturday morning, I was up early to administer the SFT to my group of seniors at Atria El Camino Gardens. I "influenced" attendance with donuts so with an assorted dozen, I tested 10 adults over the age of 80. I had originally tested this group last year and wanted to re-test to measure progress or regression after a year of consistent FallProof™-style balance and mobility training.
Although I only see this group once a week, I encourage consistent practice. In other words, Take 5 to Exercise each day! Evelyn attributes her heart health to consistent practice, Harold and Marie attribute the fall risk reduction techniques I teach to helping him manage his Parkinson's Disease, Thelma bounced back from a second stroke and has more drive than ever to make the time to exercise and Dr. and Mrs. Wu push themselves each week despite language barriers, cognitive and physical challenges.
Fall prevention exercises and balance challenges are not a one-size fits all. Beware of online marketing schemes that tell you otherwise. Try to find a local exercise class or an evidence-based DVD program.
My Take 5 to Exercise series is based on Dr. Rose's FallProof™ program and stresses the basics: the importance of flexibility, strength, good posture and maintaining the major joints and muscles. The results from the fitness testing I have done on my group at Atria support my program: it works. (Individual results to follow).

So there it is, get assessed, get moving and get re-assessed to chart your progress. You will improve! Stick with it and Take 5 to Exercise every day!
The Fall Prevention Lady

Therapeutic Aging....

I have finished the classroom time for my specialized master of science degree, Therapeutic Aging and am now 2 weeks into my Therapeutic Recreation internship at the Cordova Senior Activities center in Rancho Cordova, CA. Although it's tough doing an unpaid internship, the experience truly is priceless. I am applying my gerontology skills (study of aging) by working with the population I thoroughly enjoy; older adults.

My supervisor is a CTRS who is an absolute joy to work for. This woman, Jenn Taylor, knows her stuff. And she has no fear! She is a mover and a shaker who is implementing a risk management-based approach to a totally risky situation after reviewing the risk management manual I prepared for her as part of my graduate studies. She is a professional, she is smart, and she is compassionate. Her area of expertise is children living with developmental disabilities but she can shine anywhere because she believes in the Therapeutic Recreation process; APIE.

Through Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation, recreation can be therapeutic. As older adults are faced with increasing amounts of leisure time and increased physical limitations, it is up to community providers to assess, plan, and implement effective programs that improve quality of life. The only way to realize if the program was successful is to evaluate the responses and outcomes.

NO matter what age or what disability, people who take responsibility for their health can be successful. Aging is a unique process to each and everyone of us and so are strengths and abilities. Discover what you can do, combine it with what you love to do and you will thrive. Adaptations can be made, respect your limitations and challenge yourself safely to reduce the risk of an accidental fall.
In other words, Take 5 to Exercise everyday however you enjoy!

The Fall Prevention Lady

Fall Prevention grant funding..

It's out there; the funding is available for community-based fall risk reduction exercise and education programs! Governments, corporations, and non-profit agencies are realizing the need for prevention and putting the money out there...you just have to find it.
The directors at the City of Sacramento 50+ Wellness program put their grant writing skills to use, applied for and were awarded over $87,000 in fall prevention programs over the next three years. And guess what? Yours truly is the presenter! Yes, people enjoyed my 3-hour educational workshops so much that I will be presenting them again as part of the second Kaiser funded grant and as part of the Area 4 Agency on Aging's three year grant.
A new feature of my presentation that will be offered by both grant programs is the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale screening. I will implement this 10-item fall risk screening in order to increase the awareness of the body systems involved in balance. As a CERTIFIED FallProof™ instructor, I am able to implement this standardized test according to protocol and then provide the participants with some feedback according to my observations.
Although one test is not totally indicative of one's fall risk, it is an eye opener! There are many causes for falls but the FAB provides CUTTING EDGE research-based information based on individual performance. Heck, we all age at different levels, we all move differently, we all experience different limitations.....we ALL need individualized assessments. I love listening to each and every person I assess because each person brings something unique to the table...that's what makes this so important; you want to do exercises that will reduce your risk of falling according to your needs.
If you live in the Sacramento region, I strongly encourage you to attend one of my FAB clinics. I will post the summer and fall schedule as soon as I get it but there will be something offered each month for the rest of 2010 and well into 2011. In the meantime, Take 5 to Exercise everyday to remain flexible and strong. Get up and out of your chair 5 times at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Practice good posture. Maintain those shoulders. Order my 5-day DVD series and you will do some type of movement each day to reduce your risk of a fall.
Consistency is key.

The Fall Prevention Lady

FAB clinic at Shiloh Baptist Church in South Sacramento

I was referred to Debra Johnson through Jackie, program assistant @ 50+ Wellness program to do some fall prevention screening in order to increase awareness of the importance of prevention. Debra agreed to let me conduct the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale testing on her class. On two separate days, I assessed 18 of Debra's class of older African American God-loving participants!!!
For the most part, these ladies and two gentlemen did great on the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale and overall, are not at an increased risk of falling. However, four of the 18 community dwelling older adults FAB score indicated those individuals to be at an increased fall risk.
In a 15-minute FAB score group summary, I stressed the importance of consistent lower body strengthen exercises, daily range of motion and flexibility movements, and balance training; particularly center of gravity training.

Poor dynamic center of gravity control was a recurring theme from this group's test score interpretations and this is not uncommon. Most older adults are not aware of "core" training and have no idea what their center of gravity is or where it is located! This type of multi-sensory training is a vital component of the FallProof™ balance and mobility training program.

It was not the intention for me to educate or demonstrate any type of fall prevention exercises so I didn't have the opportunity to educate this wonderful group of people about this fall related concept. Perhaps class instructor Debra Johnson will ask me back to work with her ( I do offer a train the trainer program) or to lead one or two classes.

If not, I thoroughly enjoyed working with my sisters and brothers from Shiloh Bapist Church and look forward to FAB testing older adults throughout the Sacramento region and teaching fall prevention exercises.... increasing awareness about how important it is to Take 5 to Exercise every day to reduce the risk of a fall.

Praise the Lord,
The Fall Prevention Lady