Suffolk County, NY - October 6, 2016 - Commissioner of Health Services, Dr. James Tomarken invites mature residents to attend the county’s national award-winning program focused on falls prevention. The program is intended to empower mature adults to carry out behaviors that reduce the risks of falls and improve their quality of life.
Between 2010 and 2015 these programs collectively reached over 2,800 senior citizens to teach them about how to prevent falls in the home and live independently.
These programs are ‘Stepping On’, a CDC model program, comprises a seven-week course that focuses on balance and strength, home and community safety, vision, safe footwear and medication review. The program has proven to reduce the number of falls for participants by 31 percent. A second option entitled “Staying Independent for Life” covers much of the information that is provided in the ‘Stepping On’ program in a condensed two-hour session.
“Tai Chi, Moving for Better Balance” classes are led by a trained/certified instructor; the class meets twice a week, 60 minutes, for 12 weeks. It is a falls preventions program that uses the principles and movements of Tai Chi in helping senior citizens improve their balance, flexibility and strength, and increase their confidence in doing everyday activities.
The programs will be offered as follows:
Tai Chi
Hauppauge Library
601 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Workshop Dates and Times:
October: 17, 21, 24, 28, 31 (2:30pm-3:30pm)
November: 4, 14, 18, 28 (2:30pm-3:30pm)
December: 2, 5, 9, 12, 16 (2:30pm-3:30pm)
To register call: Hauppauge Library: 631-979-1600
‘Stepping On’
Smithtown Senior Center - Open to Smithtown Residents
420 Middle Country Road
Smithtown, NY 11787
Workshop Dates and Times:
October: 18, 25 (9:00am-11:00am)
November: 1, 15, 22 (9:00am-11:00am)
November: 29 (12:30pm-2:30pm)
December: 6 (9:00am-11:00am)
To register call: Spangle Center: 631-422-7610
Additional programs will be rolled out in communities throughout Suffolk County over the course of the year. For more information about Suffolk County Falls Prevention Programs, call the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at 631-853-6492 or visit online.
Watch this video to learn more about what your peers are doing at Suffolk County’s falls-prevention programs.