Falls Prevention – Balance Systems, Risk Factors & Safety

While falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent, falls are not an inevitable part of aging. People can reduce their chances of falling and help loved ones, neighbors, friends, and colleagues prevent falls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there are proven ways to reduce and prevent falls at any age, including for older adults. This workshop features expertise from the Kettering NeuroRehab & Balance Center to help attendees learn how to help older adults within their communities to reduce their risks of  falling.

Topics include education about the balance system, risk factors for falls, what can be done to make homes safer, and how people can manage their own risks for falls. Attendees will also receive resources for more information and assistance to better help older adults stay as safe and independent as possible.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify common risk factors contributing to falls in older adults,
• Manage personal fall risk and improve home safety in older adults, and
• Connect with resources and tools to reduce risk of falling in older adults.

Presenters:

• Megan Skidmore, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at the NeuroRehab & Balance Center where she works with clients on strength and mobility to improve their function and balance as well as to manage dizziness. She specializes in working with adults with neurologic or vestibular conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and vertigo. She has used her experience to provide community education and intervention to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling.

• Tesha Smith, MSN, RN, CEN, EMT-P, is a certified emergency nurse and paramedic, who works as the Injury Prevention Coordinator for the Kettering Health Main Campus Trauma Program. Her focus is community education and outreach including programs like Matter of Balance, Stop the Bleed, Tai Chi for Arthritis, CarFit, and other evidence-based programs.

This workshop offers 2.0 clock hours for social workers, #RSX089101. The Ohio Board of Nursing accepts events approved for counselors and social workers for continuing nursing education.

Cost: $40 for CEUs or $20 without CEUs.

Registration is requested by April 30: The registration form and payment are required – a full brochure that contains the registration form will be posted by March 27. We cannot accept credit cards as payment.

WE ARE EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL MAIL DELAYS: Please notify Jessica Cornett, Communications & Training Coordinator, at (326) 212-4985 or jcornett@info4seniors.org that your registration is coming. This will help to ensure you receive the workshop reminder and link in time, even if registration is delayed through the mail. We appreciate your help and consideration.