MOOSIC, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Elite Spine and Sports Physical Therapy hosted a free Balance and Fall Prevention workshop Wednesday evening at its Moosic clinic, focusing on practical steps older adults can take to reduce their risk of falling.
The seminar was led by Clare Winton, a physical therapist at Elite, who told attendees that falls may be common, but should not be treated as an expected part of getting older. She added that the workshop was designed to help people identify risk factors and make small changes that add up, from home safety to reviewing medications and checking vision.
“I think it brings a lot of awareness to things that especially older adults suffer with in silence. A lot of people are embarrassed to say they’ve had falls, or they don’t go out as often because they have low back pain or arthritis and their mobility is limited. Then their quality of life is limited as well. It helps people realize they are not alone, that what they’re dealing with is very common, and that there are ways to address it and improve their life,” said Winton.
Winton cited CDC data showing about 1 in 4 Americans over 65 fall each year, and said falls are a leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits and injury-related deaths in that age group. She said injuries can range from minor to severe, including broken hips and head injuries.
Balance was described as a system that depends on visual, vestibular and sensory input working together, with disruptions in any one area raising the risk of falls.
The workshop also covered common risk factors, including inactivity and muscle weakness, impaired vision, certain medications, chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, and tripping hazards at home.
The session also included simple screenings used to assess fall risk, including the Timed Up and Go, a chair-stand test and a four-stage balance test.
Participants were encouraged to improve home safety, review medications for side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness, and wear supportive, properly fitted shoes with good tread, a closed heel and arch support. She urged people to clear clutter and cords from walkways and make sure stairways and the path from bed to bathroom are well lit.
Winton demonstrated five exercises participants can practice at home with a counter or sturdy chair nearby, including heel-toe walking, sit-to-stands, marching in place, clock reaches and single-leg balance progressions.
The clinic typically offers workshops about every month to month and a half and rotates topics. For more information on upcoming workshops, visit Elite Spine and Sports Physical Therapy on Facebook for either location, Wilkes-Barre or Moosic.