Balance, Mobility, Parkinsons, Stroke, Falls Prevention

Balance, Mobility, and Falls Prevention

Creating better balance and mobility for life

Good balance with the ability to stand and walk is a strong predictor of survival in older adults.
Age-related changes and insufficient physical activity of too much sitting, reclining or lying down lead to muscle weakness, stiff joints, lack of energy and directly affects the ability to balance.

Medical conditions such as neuropathy, painful joints, stroke, Parkinson's, MS, vision changes, vertigo, blood pressure, frailty, even dehydration increase the chances for falling and injury. A sufficient dose of a carefully created progressive exercise training program can enhance strength, balance, walking ability and stamina even at advanced ages and can possibly give back independent living skills and the ability to lead an active lifestyle. Balance and mobility training should begin when beginning to experience changes in balance, and with a history of a fall(s) with and without injury.

Physical abilities vary widely between older adults. An important objective of an effective balance and mobility program is to challenge, but not exceed the client's capabilities by systematically introducing balance and mobility tasks of increasing complexity. This structured approach to design and implementation of a balance and mobility program reduces the many risk factors that contribute to falling.

New clients receive a comprehensive Pre-Exercise Screen to identify strengths and weaknesses so that exercise training can begin at an appropriate level. We also measure resting blood pressure and heart rate as part of the pre-exercise screen. We carefully review the client's health and medical history, any recommendations made by their healthcare provider, and most recent bone density scan (if available). We then develop a multi-component physical activity and exercise program unique to the client, and schedule the personal training sessions. We determine progress with client feedback and by reassessing the previous screening tools.

Balance exercises are most successful when the exercises target

the specific impairment or weakness that causes loss of balance.

Our Health and Fitness Professionals have completed a wide range of advanced education to better help clients with balance and mobility disorders. Some of the advanced training we received are: FallProof Balance and Mobility Specialist, Delay the Disease Parkinson's Exercise Program and LSVT BIG Parkinson's Disease Therapy Program, Stay Well at Home program-by Center for Successful Aging - California State University - Fullerton. Stepping On Building Confidence and Reducing Falls in Older Adults, Otago Therapy Program.

Are you at risk for falling?

What are your changes for a fall?

Have you experienced a stumble, trip, slip, a fall or near fall with or without injury?

Do you have difficulty walking or trouble navigating through the home?

Are you holding onto the furniture while walking through your home?

Are you experiencing dizziness when getting up from bed or chair, dizziness while turning, have

stiff muscles or joints?

Are you or a loved one avoiding activities because of a fear of falling and being embarrassed when losing balance?

Do you need additional training in appropriate use of a cane or walker?

Our body systems changes as we age and they systems change at different speeds. Everyone ages at different rates and thus lose balance or fall because of a different reason.

Even minor changes in strength, posture, ankle range of motion, changes in vision, reaction time can make this little stumble lead to a fall-related injury and can cause a wrist-, shoulder-, or hip-fracture, cuts, scrapes, bruises, traumatic head injury or death.

Determine you risk for falling with a comprehensive balance and mobility assessment.

Parkinson's Exercise Programs

Delay The Disease

and

LSVT BIG Parkinson's Disease Therapy

We offer personal training and physical therapy specifically developed for people with Parkinson's Disease in the comfort of our client's home.

Delay the Disease program is offered by certified practitioners and LSVT BIG is provided by a physical therapist certified by LSVT BIG Global. LSVT BIG is provided by our Physical Therapist Erica.

We work with clients in beginning to advanced stages of Parkinsons's Disease and provide both
personal training and private physical therapy to reduce Parkinson's symptoms, optimize the client's physical function and help clients stay independent longer.

Since Parkinson's is a progressive disease, the exercise program needs to be sustained and modified throughout the aging and disease progression to maintain maximal benefit. Research suggests early exercise based intervention is best. Don’t wait until you experience a loss of functional mobility, balance problems and experience a fall. Bothe the Delay the Disease and LSVT BIG programs teaches individuals with Parkinson’s disease how to avoid inactivity and improve their quality of life.

We help our clients :

Move about with ease and confidence in a crowd
Get out of bed or rise from a chair independently
Improve handwriting
Dress independently
Diminish worry that stiffness, slow steps, and other symptoms are obvious
Regain a sense of moving with normality

Health Equals Wealth

When we turn 65 years and are in ill health the expected cost to address our healthcare needs are $500,000.00. Maintaining our health well beyond age 65 with adequate function and fitness directly influences our quality of life and provides financial benefits.

The annual cost of longterm care in the United States is increasing at two or three times the rate of inflation.

A survey from Genworth Financial looks at the cost of care in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, adult day services and home care.

OPB reports that the median cost for longterm care in Oregon is $58,000 to $120,000. Per month cost ranges from $4800 to over $10,000 depending on the level of care, location and amenities

When you or a loved one is experiencing balance and mobility problems, muscle weakness and /or frailty, exercise intervention needs to start the sooner the better. Even at advanced age (90+ years of age) people can make improvements in function, health and fitness. An exercise program should be modified throughout the aging and/or disease process to allow you to age in place.

Remaining independent with appropriate exercise
Personalized trainingtwo to three times a week costs about $700 to $1,200 per month. That is a savings of $3,300 to $8,800 per month that you do not need to spend for and assisted living facility.

In-home service locations varies depending on the service range of our health fitness professionals. Service ranges include Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, Forrest Grove, Wilsonville, West Linn, Sherwood, Newberg. Sherwood and surrounding areas. Virtual Exercise Training available globally.