Rehabilitation Hospital Offers Opportunities to Reduce Fear and Falls, Improve Independence
One in Four Adults Over Age 65 Fall Each Year
Rehabilitation Hospital, Atrium Health Navicent (RHNH) is raising awareness and offering the community opportunities to address falls during September, national Fall Prevention Awareness Month.
Each year, one in four adults over the age of 65 will fall, and many of these falls lead to serious injuries, like broken hips. Many older adults fear falling and often limit their activities in an effort to decrease risk. These limitations, however, may lead to physical weakness and increase their risk of falling.
"One-third to one-half of older adults acknowledges fear of falling, and fear of falling is associated with: decreased satisfaction with life, increased frailty, decreased mobility, decreased social activity and depression. We help people view falls as controllable, set goals to increase activity, make changes to reduce their fall risk at home and exercise to increase strength and balance," said Kathleen McKinney, physical therapist with RHNH.
Atrium Health Navicent offers free monthly Empower Balance fall risk screenings for senior adults and those with certain health conditions that affect balance. Those who are concerned about falling, have had a recent fall or have a history of falling are encouraged to attend a screening in order to receive the following benefits:
Identify fall risk factors;
Understand which specific fall risk factors are leading to or may lead to falls;
Receive suggestions on how to reduce risk, decrease fear of falling and increase overall independence.
Empower Balance fall risk screenings will be held on the following dates:
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Screenings are held at Wellness Center, Atrium Health Navicent (3797 Northside Drive, Macon). Call 478.633.8507 for an appointment.
In addition, RHNH also offers the free eight-week "A Matter of Balance" fall prevention course, an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. If you are concerned about falling, have fallen in the past or want to improve balance, flexibility and strength, call 478.201.6583 to register for "A Matter of Balance."
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for healthcare consumers' through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally-recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.