Falls the leading cause of injury and injury death for those over 65
EngAge Wellness, a University of Nebraska Medical Center program at the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging, will offer a FallProof balance and mobility training class for seniors beginning March 5. The class runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. for 12 weeks.
FallProof is a multidimensional, evidence-based program developed by Debra Rose, Ph.D., co-director of the Center for Successful Aging at California State University, Fullerton. FallProof has been recognized nationally by the National Council on Aging.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, one in three people 65 and older falls.
Go down the list on the CDC’s website:
- Among those 65 or older, falls are the leading cause of injury death.
- For those 65 and up, falls are the leading cause of injury.
- And even those who fall without injury may develop a fear of falling, and limit their physical activities (which gets them out of shape and even more susceptible to falling).
If you are of that age range, avoiding falls is one of the best things you can do.
The program includes pre- and post- assessment tests and can be tailored to most any level of stability among people 50 and up. Classes will include training on center of gravity control, postural strategy, gait enhancement, multi-sensory training, and strength and flexibility.
HICSA wellness specialist Heather Lenz is Nebraska’s only certified FallProof trainer.
The class can be used as a preemptive move, Lenz said, even for those who are already in excellent shape.
“Still,” she said, “some of those normal aging things are going to happen. And you need to do even more work.”
Barb Tripp was a student in EngAge’s pilot FallProof program, as Lenz worked toward her final certification.
Tripp said she had fallen before, and developed “a terrible fear of falling.” Though it could have been daunting, she took the class.
“I knew I had to do it,” she said. “I didn’t give myself a choice.”
She’s working toward more confidence. She said she’s eager for the official FallProof program to begin.
Classes are $50 for EngAge premium members, $122 for EngAge basic members and $146 for non-members.
For information, call Lenz at 402-552-7229 or Jeannie Hannan at 402-552-7227.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.