Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance Instructor Training Workshop

Recognizing the severity of falls, the California Department of Public Health is organizing a statewide Tai Chi program to reduce fall risk among older Californians. A major part of this program is the training of instructors at the local level. This weekend, January 22-23, 2011, the Northern California instructor training program will be held in Sacramento, CA.

I have been hired as an expert to instruct workshop participants how to perform three of the six fall risk assessments that are part of this program. The first thing I asked who my audience was and who the target population of this program was. Afterall, aging is a unique experience for each of us and there are extreme differences between frail 65 and thriving 85.

The instructor population of this training is current Tai Chi instructors, Physical Activity Coordinators and Instructors, Recreation Therapists and Physical Therapists and the target population for the Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance program is older adults at risk of falling, due to decreased mobility, history of falls, decreased overall health, and balance deficits.

As more research is done on the role of exercise and fall prevention, the need for standardized assessment procedures and uniform definitions is undeniable. Researchers must be on the same page; measuring the same variables (per definition) in the same manner (per protocol or procedure).

Through standardized pre- and post-study assessments, my research study demonstrated that the FallProof™ at Home DVD series SIGNIFICANTLY increased balance confidence while SIGNIFICANTLY decreasing fall risk. In fact, seven study participants were no longer identified "at risk" of falls after the 12-week balance and mobility intervention.

I am excited about being part of this program and spreading the word about ASSESSMENTS.

The Fall Prevention Lady

Moving for Better Balance Instructor Training Workshop | Senior Exercise Videos

Moving for Better Balance Instructor Training Workshop | Senior Exercise Videos: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Fall prevention = fall risk reduction

A fall is defined as unintentionally coming to rest on ground or lower level, with or without injury (ProFANE, 2010). No one plans on falling; a fall is an accident and there are numerous factors that may increase the likelihood of losing one's balance. As a fall prevention consultant, I educate older adults about ways to reduce the risk of an accidental fall. As a FallProof™ instructor, I demonstrate exercises designed to improve the body systems involved in balance, including muscular strength and joint flexibility.
On a trip to San Francisco this weekend, I had the opportunity to educate several people about what I do. I enjoyed my conversation with Wayne because as a young senior, he is proactive about his health and independence. Having fallen twice, he understands the importance of reducing the risk of fall since both of his falls could have been prevented if he had been more careful.
A doctor of philosophy, Margaret applauded my efforts and the accomplishment of my Masters degree. She was also interested in the findings of my research study. As a 70-something, Margaret regularly engages in a stretching program and a walking routine. She commented how she "feels so much better when she does her stretches" but wanted to know how I was going to "make"people do the exercises!
Ah, every personal fitness trainer and health educator's dilemma; how to make people do the exercises that make them feel so much better! There are tons of books on behavior change but it all comes down to one thing: personal desire. A person must WANT to feel better. It takes discipline to be the best you can be. For the most part, good things don't come easy so give yourself credit for starting the program and STICK WITH IT FOR THREE WEEKS. They say it takes three weeks to form a habit so get into a routine, put your head down and just do it, make yourself do it, for three weeks...then see how you feel.
Falls are accidents and accidents will happen. However, you can educate yourself about the physical, environmental, medical, and social factors in order to decrease your risk of an accidental fall. Education is power. Empower yourself.

The Fall Prevention Lady

Fall risk assessment results are in....

13 older adults were assessed for fall risk at the Sam Pannell Community Center (SPCC). Because this was a group of higher functioning elders who live independently within the local community, the appropriate fall risk assessment tool to use was the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale. It takes approximately 15 minutes per person to implement and provides myself and the participant with valuable insight about the multiple dimensions involved in balance and mobility.

Having just completed an extensive literature review for my fall prevention exercise thesis, I am familiar with the demographics and percentages associated with older adults and falls. For instance, it is estimated that one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year (CDC, 2008). If one third of adults fall each year, I am curious about the percentage that is AT RISK. Obviously, more people are at risk of falling than those who actually fall but it would be interesting to know those numbers. Perhaps future doctoral studies will gain some insight to those numbers? :)

Anyhow, according to the valid and reliable FAB fall risk assessment tool, 7 out of 13 adults over the age of 65 were identified at risk of falling at the SPCC FAB clinic. What was interesting was that 7 out of the 13 adults were over the age of 80 and all but one of those in the eighth decade of life were identified at an increased risk of falling. Although small in sample size, the results of the SPCC FAB clinic support research indicating that the risk of falling increases with age.

So what can one do to reduce the risk of falling? REMAIN ACTIVE. Get into a consistent exercise program that focuses on strength and endurance training, balance and flexibility training. Of course, I recommend the FallProof™ program but if you do like exercise at home and want to start slowly, the Take 5 to Exercise™ fall prevention DVD series is a great place to start. Engaging in a walking program in addition to participating in the Take 5 to Exericse™ DVDs is a fabulous way to reduce the risk of falls, no matter what age.

Loving research and evidence-based programs,
The Fall Prevention Lady

Master of Science in Special Major....

It's been a long semester but my thesis was approved by the Office of Graduate Studies at CSUS! With academic approval, I created a Special Major by combining the studies of Gerontology and Therapeutic Recreation. I call this specialized field of study "Therapeutic Aging".
Gerontology fueled my passion for working with older adults and Therapeutic Recreation (TR) built on my undergraduate Public Health degree. Similar to Public Health, TR encourages living a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent disease and minimize disability. TR also appreciates people with special needs and Gerontology appreciates the special needs of older adults.
As a former personal fitness trainer, I have further specialized my area of expertise to the area of fall prevention exercise. I am a certified FallProof™ balance and mobility instructor and just completed a 12-week research study on Dr. Rose's home-based DVD program, FallProof™ at Home (FAH). I am preparing to teach community-based FallProof™ classes in the local Sacramento region.
My research study is completed. The thesis is written and accepted. I graduate on December 18th with a Master of Science in Therapeutic Aging. I envision myself joining a group of professionals who specialize in working with older adults in a preventative manner. In addition to humility and a willingness to learn, I have a multitude of skills plus years of experience to bring to the table. I am confident that the possibilities are endless.
What a relief. Praise the Lord.
The Fall Prevention Lady,
aka, Master in the House!