Newswise — STONY BROOK, N.Y., March 5, 2018 -- Stony Brook University Hospital will be offering its Stepping On program, which can reduce the risk of falling by 50 percent, for the second year at the Stony Brook Southampton campus to help older adults stay healthy and active.
The seven-week workshop will provide exercises and strategies to individuals age 60 and over who have fallen in the past, are at risk of falling and who fear they may fall. Suffolk County has the highest average annual incident rate of fall trauma in New York and one in four adults age 65 and over fall each year nationally. The physical, financial and emotional costs of a fall can be overwhelming. However, falls are not a normal part of the aging process and can be prevented.
Participants will receive support and encouragement from trained Stony Brook University Hospital physical therapists, students and each other as they regain the confidence to stay active. Physical Therapist, MaryJo Kaleda, is joining the workshop once again to help individuals recognize their risk of falling, rebuild physical strength and provide practical skills in a fun, hands-on environment.
“Stepping On is an evidence based program that empowers older adults to remain on their feet through education of fall risk factors and the use of exercise, including the importance of staying active,” said Kaleda. “Over the course of seven weeks, participants and instructors learn from each other as they share experiences that promote activity every day.”
Wayne Snell completed the workshop at the East Setauket location in 2016 after experiencing several falls. “The program changed my life,” said Snell. “I’m no longer afraid I’m going to fall. I still do the exercises every week. It’s a lifelong assignment.” After completing the program, he even volunteered to be a peer tutor to others in his community, sharing what he had learned about fall prevention.
Stepping On will begin March 23 and continue every Friday for seven weeks from 10am-12pm at the Stony Brook Southampton Library at 39 Tuckahoe Rd, Southampton. To register or for more information, visit trauma.stonybrookmedicine.edu or call 631-444-8385.
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About Stony Brook Medicine
Stony Brook Medicine elevates all of Stony Brook University’s health-related initiatives: education, research and patient care. It includes six Health Sciences schools — Dental Medicine, Health Technology and Management, Medicine, Nursing, Social Welfare and Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences — as well as Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and more than 90 community-based healthcare settings throughout Suffolk County. To learn more, visit stonybrookmedicine.edu.