Fall Prevention
One in three Americans age 65 and older falls every year. In addition, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans, and are costly in terms of dollars and quality of life. Evidence-based fall prevention classes have been shown to help reduce the number of falls among seniors.
Classroom Based Classes
Stepping On is a Seven week program designed for people who are living at home and have experienced a fall or are concerned about falling.
The program is an evidence-based program that is effective and proven to reduce falls in older people living in the community. The program incorporates strategies to implement positive lifestyle changes to keep you independent, upright and active.
The evidence has proven that Stepping On reduces falls by 31% in the community.
Eligibility:
- This program is unsuitable for people with memory problems, certain progressive neurological disorders and people who are totally dependent on a walking frame.
- Stepping On has NOT been proven to work with Parkinson’s Disease clients. Please refer these clients onto other appropriate evidence based treatment.
| Week | Content |
| 1 | Introduction, overview and risk appraisal.
Building trust, overview of program aims, sharing fall experiences, choosing what to cover and balance and strength exercises. |
| 2 | Exercises and moving about safely
Review and practice exercises, explore the barriers and benefits of exercise, moving about safely – chairs and steps, learning not to panic after a fall. |
| 3 | Home hazards
Identify hazards in and about the home and problem solving solutions |
| 4 | Community safety and footwear
Generate strategies to get around the local community and reduce the risk of falling. Learn about the features of a safe shoe and identify clothing hazards. |
| 5 | Vision and falls and vitamin D
Recognise the influence of vision on the risk of falling. Review strategies to reduce risk of falling from dysfunction. Identify the importance of vitamin D, sunlight and calcium to protect from fall injury. |
| 6 | Medication management and mobility mastery experiences
Identify medication risks and falls. Explore strategies to reduce risk of falls from medication side effects or misuse. Identify behaviour and sleep alternatives to taking sedatives. Review of exercises. Strategies for getting out and about in the local community safely. Practice safe mobility techniques learned during the program in a nearby outdoor location. |
| 7 | Review and plan ahead
Participants express their personal accomplishments from the past 7 weeks and reflect on scope of things learned. Review anything requested. Identify strategies to assist in safe public transportation. Determine safety strategies. Graduation ceremony. |
Program Contact
Stepping On:
Nancy Hedlesky
nhedlesky@macinc.org
410-742-0505 x131
