Mobility 101: "We're walking so much better....."

Balance and mobility:  keeping yourself upright and walking. 
Improved balance and mobility:  enjoying your life without constant fear of falling.

I love teaching (FallProof™) balance and mobility classes in the community.  In my last 6-week training session at Parkside Community Church, I worked with a couple who are both 83 years old and who have been married over 60 years.  They love each other, their family, and their lives.  They took my class because he has a history of falls.  A friend strongly recommended my class to them.

After 12 sessions, his posture improved dramatically and they both improved in all three fitness tests related to fall risk.  Tonight I got a call from them and they wanted to thank me again for my class.  This type of telephone call just makes my day.  Mr. H went on to tell me that my class had changed their lives and that they both were walking so much better.

He was proud to report that they were still doing the exercises that I recommend and that they couldn't wait until the next training session when they'll be in town.  This couple gets it!  They took the tools I gave them and used them to improve their balance. 

It's like I told them on the first day of class, '...the best years of your life are still ahead of you.  Learn how to improve your balance and mobility today to prevent falls and remain independent tomorrow.'

He said he had tons of friends and they all need to take my class!  He also wanted to know if it was alright if he gave them my information. Alright?  Spread the word, my friend. 

My new book, "The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention" will cover everything you need to know to improve your balance and mobility today in order to remain independent tomorrow.....

The Fall Prevention Lady,
Kelly Ward

Pacific Chapter of the Neuropathy Association presentation

I am preparing for tomorrow's presentation for the Pacific Chapter of Neuropathy Association at the Woodland Community and Senior Center.  I will be speaking from 1:30-2:30 and I am excited about educating members of this support group about how to reduce the risk of an accidental fall.

As part of the natural aging process, we lose the ability to feel the ground under our feet.  A person living with (peripheral) neuropathy has lost that ability times ten.  Imagine how difficult it must be to remain balanced if you can't feel the ground under your feet?

The good news is that there are balance training techniques and fall prevention exercises that can significantly reduce the risk of a fall, especially for people with neuropathy.  I am looking forward to this presentation;  education is empowering and hope is my message.

The Fall Prevention Lady,
Kelly Ward

Making the connection; exercise prevents falls

Today started a new balance and mobility training session for the Fall Prevention Lady at Parkside Community Church.  This class meets Monday and Friday mornings from 9:30-10:30AM.  Since I provide small group training, the class is small and for the first time in 6 years of teaching fall prevention classes, there were more men than women!  


It's so exciting to see that more men are starting to realize that they HAVE to get active if they want to stay active!.  As we introduced ourselves and our expectations of the class, one statement made my day.  When asked why he was taking the class, the response was, "I fell the other day and landed on my knee and my face (he had the bruises to show it).  I realized then that I have to start exercising if I want to prevent another fall."

I teared up with joy when I heard that!  Why?  As the Fall Prevention Lady,  I have been studying, developing and practicing exercises that help prevent falls since 2006.  I eat, breathe and sleep fall prevention!  In fact, it has been demonstrated that exercise is the #1 way to prevent falls.  Participating in a strengthening, flexibility, balance and endurance training program is the best way to remain independent.

Now you understand why I was overjoyed to hear that this 83 year-old gentleman made the connection:  EXERCISE PREVENTS FALLS.

Hallejuah!

What can I teach you about fall prevention?

I started my next balance training session at Fremont Presbyterian Church last week and there was a 93-year old woman who looked at me and said, "I don't think there's anything you can teach me about fall prevention that I don't already know"....

Ok, I love this woman already! I started talking with her and immediately went into 'balance and mobility specialist/personal fitness trainer' mode as I assessed her posture. I offered a few tips and within 3 minutes, she was sitting taller with a smile on her face. She continued to listen to me as I explained the different types of exercise she needed to do to prevent a fall.

I assessed her in three areas of fitness associated with fall risk. After her daughter completed the health history questionnaire for her mother, I assessed the daughter. Both found the tests interesting and eye-opening. The mother cannot wait to start class on Tuesday and the daughter is considering joining. Regardless of your age, you can benefit from my balance training program.

As they were leaving the mother said to me, "I was wrong, there's so much I'm going to learn about fall prevention from you. THANK YOU". No, thank you.

Praise God.

Balance assessments at Senior Health and Wellness Fairs

Out and about in the community, I (The Fall Prevention Lady) have been busy educating about falls and doing balance screenings at senior health fairs. I love interacting with older adults about fall prevention. One lady at Eskaton's Senior Wellness Fair on Wednesday said that "talking with you was the best 5 minutes of my life".

I don't need to tell people how serious a fall can be but I do love increasing awareness of how to reduce the risk of an accidental fall. There are balance training techniques that can change your life instantly. Listen to what I'm saying...I tell you in an easy to understand language and demonstrate easy to do exercises. It's like the "EASY" button I have, "That was easy!!!"

I am getting ready to release a product that every person over the age of 65 should have in order to remain independent. In the meantime, I am getting ready to do some balance assessments, increase awareness of my fall prevention exercise classes and promoting my new product at the Fremont Presbyterian Church's senior health fair.

Praise the Lord. Have a blessed day.