Iowa Specialty Hospital is proud to once again present, Stepping On, a fall prevention workshop. Due to previous response, this 7-week workshop will now be held in both Clarion & Belmond during September and October.
Clarion classes will be every Tuesday from 2:00 – 4:00 pm in Boardroom B at the Clarion Campus. Classes begin on September 3rd and run through October 15th.
Belmond classes will be every Wednesday from 2:00 – 4:00 pm in the Lower Level Conference Room at the Belmond Campus. Classes begin on September 4th and run through October 16th.
During the Stepping On workshops, participants receive support from trained leaders and other workshop participants, learn and practice strength and balance exercises, and learn how medications, vision, safe footwear, and home modifications can affect their risk of falls. Special guest presenters will be in attendance at various sessions. These presenters are community experts and include a pharmacist, eye doctor, physical therapist, and a community safety worker.
To be eligible, participants must be 65 years of age or older, able to walk independently (i.e. without a walker or cane), live independently, have had a fall within the last year, or have a fear of falling. Participants will leave with more strength, achieve better balance, and experience a feeling of confidence and independence as a result of performing various exercises and sharing personal falls experiences as a group. The research has found that people who complete the workshop have a 31% reduced rate of falls.
Previous participants in the Stepping On series gave the class high marks. “I definitely recommend this class to elderly people who want to remain active in their later years,” said participant Walt Hirsch. Ida Eekhoff, another class participant, shared “I’m stronger from the exercises taught in class and I’m more confident in all I do. I’ve slowed down and also use techniques taught in the class to avoid falls.”
Please note each class size is limited to 14 individuals. In addition, an eligibility questionnaire must be completed at the time of phone registration, and a one-time $15 fee is required for this workshop for the cost of materials only. Call Brooke Nerlien at 515-602-9826 for more information or to complete a phone registration.
