Sun Valley Lodge Combats Senior Fall Risk with Workshops

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Michael Kloberdanz
Sun Valley Lodge                                               
Phone (623) 933-0137
Fax (623) 933-5846
mike@sunvalleylodge.org
www.sunvalleylodge.org

Sun Valley Lodge Combats Senior Fall Risk with Workshops

 

Sun City, Arizona – Friday, October 10, 2014 – Sun Valley Lodge will be holding two dynamic workshops focusing on balance and fall prevention.  The events will be held on Thursday October 23^rd and Thursday, October 30^th at 10:00 AM and will explore strategies to keep older adults on their feet.   Both sessions are free to the public.

Falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, loss of independence, and trauma deaths for Seniors.  Each year, more than 1.6 million older U.S. adults go to emergency departments for fall-related injuries.  The fall risk only increases with age.  People age 75 and older who fall are four to five times more likely than those age 65 to 74 to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer.


Sun Valley Lodge assisted living director Blanche Forrester will lead the discussions along with physical therapists Jaime Forbes and Colin Gavrila.  Both Jaime and Colin work for Phoenix Home Health and regularly see Lodge residents.


The first session will concentrate on understanding the body’s multiple systems – neurological, muscular/skeletal, and cardiopulmonary.  We will focus on how they work together and how sensory, motor skills and nervous system change with age.  Finally, we will go over functional ambulation requirements and strategies to prevent falls in the home.


The second session will help participants recognize how most falls are the result of interacting risk factors and how to develop strategies to reduce those risks.  We will help participants identify strategies and resources that can be used to reduce risk and discuss the use of occupational therapy as a tool to help prevent risks will also be covered.


Free blood pressure screening and free blood sugar tests will also be available at both sessions.  Each session will last about an hour with time for questions at the conclusion.  Seating for these seminars is free to the public, but limited.  Please contact the Lodge at (623) 933-0137 to reserve attendance.

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Sun Valley Lodge is a nonprofit organization and has been providing independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care in Sun City, Arizona for over 40 years.