The VON and the CSC have developed fall prevention education and exercise programs to promote the physical wellbeing and safety of clients.
It is difficult to produce data about what doesn’t happen, but one can be assured that the knowledge and exercise have facilitated many clients to maintain a safer and healthier lifestyle, officials say.
That said, the fact is even the fittest people and those well educated in fall prevention still have accidental trips and falls.
The residual effects such as fractures and other serious injuries are often reduced when a person is in better physical condition.
Client story
A woman who attends one of the gentle exercise programs twice a week in Guelph told her instructor this story.
“While eating a meal at the Keg restaurant, my companion spilled a hot drink. I was able to quickly move and avoid the spill, but forgot about the step up to the booth causing me to fall. Fortunately due to my better agility and fitness level I escaped uninjured. I believe that coming to these exercise classes is what saved me from a more serious outcome.”
It is impressive that this client was able to make the connection between her fitness and resilience to injury, said officials.
An instructor’s story
“My client had … a stroke in October 2014. When I first met him in January … he struggled, even with the walker, to walk the length of the room.
“I went to see him two to three times a week and after the first couple of weeks he also started attending the classes I instructed just down the road from his house. This man was determined to get back to “living” – chicken farming, golfing and travelling.
“At first he pressed hard to do five reps of each exercise but fought to increase this with each visit, until he was able to do the maximum. When the six-week in home program was finished his strength had vastly increased, but I had the program extended for two weeks to work on his leg strength.
“He was so resolute in his independence that he would crawl up the stairs to get to the washroom. At the time of my last visit this client was walking quite well with his walker. In fact, he was back to doing chores in the barn and was walking up the stairs with the use of a cane.
“The following week he walked to our group class without his walker, using his cane and though he was somewhat unsteady the victory was written across his face. Everyone in the room was affected by the joy of his conquest.
“This client continues to come to the community classes and has even brought a friend who had also had a stroke, adamant that these SMART exercises would help his friend get his mobility back as well.
“It is amazing to see the improvement not only in his functional fitness level but also in his overall self-confidence. He is driving again and was golfing recently.”
The VON SMART Gentle Exercise Program offers numerous classes in various locations throughout Guelph and Wellington. For more information about the program or to find a class visit www.vonsmartexercise.com or call SMART program coordinators Kelly Gee or Jenny Bryan at 519-323-2330 ext 4959.
