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BALANCE THROUGH MOVEMENT
CREATIVE THERAPEUTICS FALL PREVENTION CLASS
Overview of program:
The Creative Therapeutics Balance Through Movement Program is an 8 week group exercise program for seniors who are at risk for falls. The program includes only exercises that have been shown effective in preventing falls and/or enhancing mobility in older adults. Participants will be challenged at levels appropriate for each individual and will have close supervision during each session to minimize their risk of injury or discomfort during the program. All participants will undergo assessments at the beginning and end of the 8 week session and be given sets of exercises they may practice at home to enhance the effectiveness of the program.
Who are the targeted participants?
The program is designed for seniors who are fearful of falling, those who have fallen, or those who are at risk for falling. Participants in this initial session must be independently mobile, able to stand and walk on their own (using an assistive device if needed), and be able to follow direction during the program. All participants need their doctor’s permission to be part of the program and will be given results of their assessments to share with their doctors.
People who have Parkinson’s’ disease are encouraged to participate. A separate section of the program will be specifically for people with PD. This section will include many of the same exercises as in the other group, however the special mobility needs for those with PD will be addressed.
Where will the program be offered?
The program will be offered at Creative Therapeutics, 3301 Resource Parkway Ste. 5, DeKalb. The mission of Creative Therapeutics is: “To assist our clients in realizing their bodies’ full potential through the science of rehabilitative medicine and to have our staff and clients feel their concerns are heard and treated thoughtfully.” The program will be held in the exercise room used for group programs.
Who is presenting the program?
The exercise program will be coordinated by Pam “Pommy” Macfarlane who is a professor in Kinesiology at Northern Illinois University and has implemented fall prevention programs for the past 10 years. She teaches exercise gerontology and biomechanics, and directs the exercise program at Oak Crest Retirement Center. Last year she set up a fall prevention and a strength program for seniors at the Kishwaukee YMCA.
How long is the program and when will the first session be offered?
The first session of the program will be 8 weeks long with two one hour sessions a week. It is scheduled to begin September 22nd and run to November 12th. The deadline to sign up for the first session is September 9th. Our intent is to have an ongoing fall prevention class for those who wish to continue, and to offer the 8 week starter class periodically, determined by community need. The 8 week session does not include the assessments which will be completed before and after the 8 week period. Once participants have completed the application materials and we have secured their doctor’s permission to participate, they will be contacted to schedule a time to meet with one of the exercise leaders to complete the assessments. The assessments will be done during the second week of September and again at the end of the program.
What support will be available?
Most exercise will be standing with sufficient opportunity for rest for those who need it. Support during the challenges will be by supportive stable chairs or from a person. At all times the clients will be setting the level of challenge so that they feel confident in their own safety. Exercises have levels of challenge to accommodate differing ability. An example is the one foot balance where some may have to hold on as they lift one foot for short time, whereas another person may be able to stand with hands on hips and raised knee held high for 10 seconds. Clients will learn the reason for exercise and will understand their own appropriate level of challenge for optimal improvement. The number of exercise leaders and assistants will depend on the size and ability of the class. At least two trained leaders will be in attendance at all times.
What are the types of exercise?
A targeted fall prevention program has several types of exercises. These types of exercise (with examples) include:
- Strength with emphasis on functional leg strength (chair stands, squats, lunges)
- Quickness and power (weight shifting, quick step practice, quick arm extensions)
- Gait variation (walking with starts and stops, turns, stepping over objects)
- Balance (leans to all sides, one foot standing, tandem walking)
- Sensory specific challenges (standing on foam w/w out eye focus, closing eyes, shaking head)
As with any exercise programs appropriate loosening, warm up and range of motion sequences will be included.
What assessments will be used?
There will be a variety of types of assessments. Examples of these include: written questionnaires (screening for fall risk, falls efficacy scale, fear of falling), mobility tests (ability to stand up, walk a short distance and sit down; stand up from a chair a number of times), balance tests (measures of stability while standing on a force plate, basic balance tests), gait measures (walking speed, quality of gait), and stepping (ability to take quick steps). Selected assessments are all designed for older adults who may have mobility and/or balance concerns. All participants will be encouraged to complete the assessments; however they may select not to do selected assessments.
A measure of the effectiveness of the program can be through the change noted in individual’s assessments from the beginning to the end of the program. The assessments 9written and active) ought to take no longer than 2 hours which allows sufficient time for resting for those who need it and interaction with the exercise leader so that s/he gets to know the ability of the participant when challenged in the program.
What is the cost of the program?
The 8 week program will cost $60 which will include all sessions and assessments.
How can I sign up?
Contact Creative Therapeutics (815) 758-5508 to apply. You will be asked to complete a few forms and will be contacted to set a time for your assessments. If you have questions related to this program please contact Becky Rogers, PTA at (815) 758-5508.
How to get a patient into the program?
If you are a health care provider and would like a patient of yours to participate in the CT Balance Through Movement program please complete a Permission to Participate form and ask your patient to sign up at Creative Therapeutics.
Interstitial Cystitis Support Group
If you have a history of chronic pelvic pain or bladder dysfunction, but have not been diagnosed with IC this meeting is still a place for you. Our speaker will be Dr. Kristi Brower, Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in chronic pain.
DATE: Thursday, August 28
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Creative Therapeutics
3301 Resource Parkway, Suite 5
DeKalb, IL 60115
To register or for more information, contact Tracie Klug, group leader, at
815-761-4902 |
