May 10, 2021
St. Peter’s Health announced today the availability of a new, no-cost fall prevention program, Stepping On. Stepping On is a seven-week, evidence-based program that is effective and proven to reduce falls in older adults living in the community. The program incorporates strategies to implement positive lifestyle changes to keep older community members independent and active.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older Americans fall each year, with at least 800,000 hospitalized annually due to a fall injury, most often head injuries or hip fractures.
“The goal of Stepping On is to learn about your own personal fall risks and strategies and skills to avoid falling. There are many elements that might contribute to a fall: balance, strength, footwear, hazards in the home, medications, the environment and much more. The program explores and addresses each of these so you leave with a sense of confidence in your ability to navigate risks,” said St. Peter’s Health Population Health and Wellness Nurse, Marisa Hardy, RN. “We want people to know that it is normal to have a fear of falling as you age, but we want to make sure people have the tools to reduce their chances of falling and experiencing a resulting, potentially debilitating, injury.”
Community members are eligible to participate in the program if they are:
- At least 60 years old or older
- Have fallen in the past year or are fearful of falling
- Live in an apartment or home
- Do not have a diagnosis of dementia or other cognitive concerns
- Can ambulate mainly on their own with only slight assistance from walkers or canes
St. Peter’s Health encourages anyone interested in registering to visit www.sphealth.org/steppingon. Class sizes are limited. A St. Peter’s Health caregiver will reach out to anyone who completes the interest form to discuss class options. Interested community members can also call 406-495-7983 to learn more.