Fall Prevention is a Multi-Cultural, Universal Concern

English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese. I interact with each group while teaching my Fall Prevention classes for the City of Sacramento's Fifty Plus Wellness program. Unfortunately, I only speak English but I learned early on in my teachings that fitness is a universal language. My Russian ladies followed along eagerly, doing every movement I did, down to scratching my head!

As endurance levels have increased and balance has improved, so has the level of intensity.

What used to be fun has become challenging if not difficult. The language barrier is now just that: a barrier. It is important to cue my clients correctly as they attempt new exercises. The unfortunate problem is my Russian and Chinese seniors don't have a clue what I'm talking about as I blurt out safety precautions.

The beautiful thing is they keep coming back: twice a week, consistently now for 2 years. They must be getting some type of reward. They must notice the benefits. They are stronger. One lady indicated that she no longer needs her blood pressure medication. Another lady gestured of her doctor's praise over her weight loss.

Reluctantly, 2 Chinese men have joined my class. What prompted their attendance, I have no idea but once they start moving, the happier they've become. My classes are easy enough to follow along and enjoy yet challenging enough to bring them back. These men have been watching me teach the same class for over 2 years and have suddenly decided to join in! Praise the Lord.

That is the key to a successful Fall Prevention program: easy enough yet challenging. Seniors need to challenge their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance levels regularly in order to lower their risk of an accidental and life-changing fall. Every senior, no matter what culture, race, or nationality will benefit from following a consistent routine.

Practice makes perfect, including your balance skills.

Let me introduce myself....

Hi, my name is KELLY and I am the Fall Prevention lady. I want to first introduce myself and then explain why you need to ready my blog.

In 1993, I received a B.S. in Public Health Education from West Chester University located in West Chester, Pennsylvania after completing my intern project, "Come Alive at 55", with the Chester County Health Department. Come Alive was an activity-oriented approach to the prevention of diease and disability for adults over the age of 55.

This field of study developed my PREVENTION-based philosophy, emphasizing the prevention of a crisis rather than treatment of the disease. Our life is determined by our choices and the quality of our health is a direct reflection of the quality of those choices. For example, if you make healthy choices, you are more likely to be healthy. If you neglect or abuse your body, you are more likely to become weak and vulnerable, increasing your risk of disease, disability, accidents and even death.

In 2005, I received a Masters level Certificate of Gerontology from California State University at Sacramento after completing my internship project, "Take 5 to Exercise", with the Area 4 Agency on Aging. Take 5 is a prevention-based approach that emphasizes consistent movement, stretching, and strengthening to reduce the incidence of falls among seniors.
I am passionate about my work with the elderly and get thrilled when I see the positive impact that basic movement has not only on their body but also the quality of their life.

We all have parents and like us, they are aging except the physical changes that occur after the age of 65 have a substantial impact on one's quality of life and ability to function, not to mention one's independence.
For instance, if your 75-year old mother falls, she is more likely to break her hip than you or I. IF she breaks her hip, and has to go into the hospital, she is at an increased risk of catching pneumonia or encountering some other type of secondary complication that can result in permanent placement in a skilled nursing facility or even death.

As a Gerontologist, I have studied the aging process and I want to express to you that although falls are associated with aging, they are not a natural part of growing older. The good news is falls can be prevented through consistent participation in flexibility, strengthening, and balance routines.

And there is more good news….I am also a Certified Personal Fitness trainer who specializes in senior fitness, specifically FALL PREVENTION. In addition to being certified by NASM, AFAA and the American Senior Fitness Association, I work with the City of Sacramento’s 50 Plus Wellness program teaching group exercise classes in Fall Prevention. The average age of my participants is 83!

Throughout my research and program implementation, I have found that the older participant’s body improves tremendously and it doesn’t take grueling exercise sessions to see the benefits. Thus, I have designed and developed a series of seated stretching and strengthening routines called TAKE 5 TO EXERCISE for those who want to decrease their risk of a fall.

DVD 1 is currently being produced.
Stay tuned for more from the Fall Prevention Lady!!!