Falls prevention program begins April 11 in Boothbay Harbor

Tue, 03/27/2018 - 8:30am

One in four Americans over the age of 65 fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls threaten older adults’ safety and independence. To help community members improve their balance and reduce their risk of falling, LincolnHealth is offering Balancing Act, a free falls prevention program, again this spring.

Classes will take place on four consecutive Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. starting Wednesday, April 11 at the LincolnHealth-St. Andrews Campus in Boothbay Harbor.

Program instructors will show participants special exercises and educational videos, use gym equipment, and evaluate progress with balance screenings to help improve their balance.

About 75 percent of participants in previous sessions of this class showed significant improvement in fall risk screening tests six weeks after the classes ended.

Balancing Act will be led by Physical Therapist Heather Brewer and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Deborah Hidu.

Space is limited. Those who are interested in participating are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

For more information and/or to register, please call 207-633-1928 or email Debbie at debbie.hidu@lchcare.org.