“Falls are preventable,” Dr. Kang said. “The prevention is not always expensive or complicated. I wanted our students to have the knowledge and skills to do something about it. They have a responsibility to the community.”
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The main project of my internship was to help implement the fall prevention program, Fall Proof, at the San Marcos Senior Center. Dr. Hyun Gu Kang, a biomechanics professor from CSUSM, and Mary Jo Preti, a Fall Proof Instructor, came together to organize this program to help prevent falls in the senior population of San Marcos. I heard one of Dr. Kang’s lectures on the prevalence and urgency of falling in the senior population and ‘fell’ in love with the topic of study. From that moment I knew I wanted to do my internship with him. Initially, I had no idea what was in store. I ended up working closely with a group of six kinesiology interns and two nursing students. The first few weeks consisted of calling possible participants, learning testing materials, inventory of equipment and practicing the testing protocol. The rest of the time it was highly intensive fall training.
Before the program could begin, we assessed the possible participants from the Senior Center for their fall risk by testing their functional balance and mobility using the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale and BERG Balance Scale. Individually, we led people through the required tests, scoring them for each task. Some of the tests included: Standing with arms crossed and eyes closed for 30 seconds, stepping up and over a 6- inch bench, turning in a complete circle and counting how many times the participant could stand up and sit down without using their hands within 30 seconds. We also used these tests to assess their progress after the 8-week program.
During the program, we focused on strengthening the participants' center of gravity control, sensory reception and integration skills, postural control, and development of flexible gait patterns to assist them if they do fall. Throughout the hour-long class we also focused on upper and lower body strength, flexibility and endurance.
We had a variety of participants ranging from ages 70-93 years old. Some were at high risk while some were at lower risk of falling, while most had a general fear of falling. Not only was it my job to assist in instructing the class, it was also my duty to ensure the safety of the participants and to push them to their limits so they could get the most out of the class. I had to really create a trusting bond with each participant to help him or her get over their fear of falling in the class, especially since we practiced falling throughout the program. For the more at risk participants, we used gait belts to ensure their safety during the class. Gait belts were belts that we put around the participant that allowed us to hold onto them without them feeling it. This made it easier to catch and/or reduce the impact of a fall if it were to occur.
At the end of the program we celebrated with a party and had the chance to talk about the progress that was made. The majority of the participants gained a sense of confidence and increased strength. Aside from the class and what the the participants go out of that, I think the biggest impact was the connection we all made with each other. The relationships we built with the participants was simply unforgettable.
Another portion of my internship was to help conduct a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of the balance and mobility training provided by the Fall Proof program through research. My fellow interns and myself facilitated a series of balance tests on a force platform, vision and cognitive tests and a mental health questionnaire before and after the program.
This internship was such a wonderful experience. I could not have asked for a better opportunity.
Before the program could begin, we assessed the possible participants from the Senior Center for their fall risk by testing their functional balance and mobility using the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale and BERG Balance Scale. Individually, we led people through the required tests, scoring them for each task. Some of the tests included: Standing with arms crossed and eyes closed for 30 seconds, stepping up and over a 6- inch bench, turning in a complete circle and counting how many times the participant could stand up and sit down without using their hands within 30 seconds. We also used these tests to assess their progress after the 8-week program.
During the program, we focused on strengthening the participants' center of gravity control, sensory reception and integration skills, postural control, and development of flexible gait patterns to assist them if they do fall. Throughout the hour-long class we also focused on upper and lower body strength, flexibility and endurance.
We had a variety of participants ranging from ages 70-93 years old. Some were at high risk while some were at lower risk of falling, while most had a general fear of falling. Not only was it my job to assist in instructing the class, it was also my duty to ensure the safety of the participants and to push them to their limits so they could get the most out of the class. I had to really create a trusting bond with each participant to help him or her get over their fear of falling in the class, especially since we practiced falling throughout the program. For the more at risk participants, we used gait belts to ensure their safety during the class. Gait belts were belts that we put around the participant that allowed us to hold onto them without them feeling it. This made it easier to catch and/or reduce the impact of a fall if it were to occur.
At the end of the program we celebrated with a party and had the chance to talk about the progress that was made. The majority of the participants gained a sense of confidence and increased strength. Aside from the class and what the the participants go out of that, I think the biggest impact was the connection we all made with each other. The relationships we built with the participants was simply unforgettable.
Another portion of my internship was to help conduct a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of the balance and mobility training provided by the Fall Proof program through research. My fellow interns and myself facilitated a series of balance tests on a force platform, vision and cognitive tests and a mental health questionnaire before and after the program.
This internship was such a wonderful experience. I could not have asked for a better opportunity.