The Ins and Outs of a Good Fall Prevention Plan
Have you noticed that you aren’t quite as steady on your feet as you used to be? Do you find yourself avoiding your favorite activities or sticking close to home because you’re worried you might fall? You don’t have to live in fear: Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists offers dedicated fall prevention services to help restore both balance and confidence!
If you’re an older adult, it’s understandable that you might be concerned about falling. Falls are a significant source of injury and hospitalization among seniors. Furthermore, the fear of falling can profoundly impact your quality of life, as many people will avoid physical activity out of a misguided attempt to prevent falling.
Fortunately, the team at Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists has plenty of experience helping our older patients with fall prevention. We can help you identify and address your specific fall risks, improve your balance and stability, and find ways to get you moving with confidence again.
Don’t let fear of falling keep you from enjoying your golden years. Call us to schedule an appointment today!
Our Patients Get Great Results
“I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists. The professionalism and knowledge of their entire team of therapists is exceptional. Every therapy session is carefully designed for my individual condition and is always a feel good experience. Therapists take time to explain each exercise and to ensure I am comfortable with the process. I’m truly feeling real improvement. I highly recommend CTPTS to anyone needing personalized, effective physical therapy.” – N.M.
Staff Spotlight: Eric O’Loughlin
Eric graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2019 and in 2023 graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. In his free time Eric enjoys playing pickleball, basketball and golf. He is also an avid sports fan and enjoys watching the Miami Dolphins and UConn Huskies basketball teams.
Understanding Your Fall Risk
It’s important that every older adult understand their fall risk. Everyone’s risk is different; falls are complex, and multiple factors can contribute to a high risk of falling. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to suffer a fall.
Which of these factors apply to you?
- You’re 65 years or older.
- You’ve fallen before.
- You’re sedentary.
- You have certain medical conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, or vascular disease.
- You’ve suffered a stroke.
- You have impaired mobility.
- You have impaired vision.
What’s Involved in a Fall Prevention Plan?
Getting active is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of falling. This is why the fear of falling can be so insidious, as it prevents people from engaging in the physical activity that can protect them from falls.
For that reason, a good fall prevention plan is actually a plan to help you get more active. We’ll work with you to identify the areas holding you back from a physically active lifestyle–whether that’s pain, instability, or something else–and address them.
Because we customize every fall prevention plan to suit the patient’s needs, no two plans are alike. However, we’ll generally pull from the following techniques:
Pain Management
Balance Training
Strength Training
Gait Training
Exercise Program
What To Expect During Your Sessions
Your initial appointment will consist of an in-depth physical evaluation that includes the following:
- A complete health history
- Examination of your particular fall risk factors
- Movement screens to evaluate gait, mobility, strength, and balance
- Discussion of your specific goals
This information helps us create the best fall prevention plan for your needs, which we’ll guide you through during subsequent appointments. We provide a space where you can exercise without fear of injury. We also always meet you at your current ability level–although we will help you improve by gradually increasing the difficulty of your exercises!
Don’t Let a Slip-and-Fall Accident Hamper Your Holiday Celebrations
We’re in the peak holiday party season, so you may be out and about in icy conditions more than you’d like. However, a few simple tips can help you stay safe and avoid a serious slip-and-fall accident.
Tip 1: Avoid Icy Patches
Tip 2: Bring a Change of Shoes
Tip 3: Work on Balance Training with Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists
A few precautions are all it takes to ensure a safe holiday season, no matter the weather conditions!
Find Your Balance Today!
Don’t let a fear of falling keep you from your favorite activities. The Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists therapists will help you get back on your feet–and stay there. Call today to get started with an initial fall risk assessment.
We Are Hiring!
Are you a passionate Doctor of Physical Therapy looking to make a meaningful impact?
Join our team and become an integral part of our mission to enhance lives through rehabilitation and wellness. We’re seeking a dedicated and skilled individual to join our dynamic team, providing exceptional care and support to our valued patients. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy with us, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse and talented team, utilizing the latest techniques and technologies to help our patients achieve their goals. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and make a difference in the lives of others, we want to hear from you!
Recipe of the Month: Homemade Hot Apple Cider
Ingredients:
- 6 cups apple cider
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 whole allspice berries
- 1 orange peel, cut into strips
- 1 lemon peel, cut into strips
Instructions:
- Gather the ingredients. Pour apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.
- Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel, and lemon peel in the center of a square of washed cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.
- Place the saucepan over moderate heat and cook until cider is very hot but not boiling, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle.
- Ladle cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.
What Does Balance Training Look Like?
Balance training consists of targeted exercises that challenge–and thus improve–your overall balance and stability. Our physical therapists arrange these exercises progressively, which allows you to start where you feel most comfortable. Over time, you’ll be able to perform more and more challenging balance exercises.
Below are some sample balance exercise progressions to give you an idea of what to expect. But to ensure you’re performing the right exercises for your ability level, schedule an appointment at Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists!
Balance Exercise Progressions
One-Legged Stands
- Beginner: Stand facing the wall, your arms outstretched, fingers lightly touching the wall. Lift one leg and keep a slight bend in the standing leg. Hold for 5-10 seconds.
- Intermediate: Perform the same motion as above–but don’t touch the wall for support.
- Advanced: Perform the same motion as the intermediate progression–but keep your eyes closed. It’s harder than it sounds!
Tandem Stance
- Beginner: Stand with your feet heel-to-toe, as if standing on a tightrope.
- Intermediate: Stand in the same stance as above, but do it on a pillow (which adds instability). You can also try closing your eyes.
- Advanced: Walk heel-to-toe without using any support. Try to go 10-20 feet before taking a rest
Clinic News
The Practice Marketing Podcast
Tune in now to the latest episode of ‘The Practice Marketing Podcast’ CTPTS was featured on! Colin & Olivia dove deep into marketing a 3 location PT practice and shared valuable insights into the PT world. Available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify – also available on YouTube!
