WC occupational therapy program director to facilitate fall prevention workshop

One in four older adults experiences a fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wilmington College’s Erin Bales will facilitate Stepping On, a free program designed to help senior citizens reduce the risk of injury from falls, on May 28, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Aging Up Community Center, 717 N. Nelson St., in Wilmington.

Bales, director of the College’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program, said falls don’t have to be a normal part of aging and can be prevented. Indeed, the Ohio Department of Health, which is sponsoring the event, claims its Stepping On program has been researched and proven to reduce falls by 31 percent. 

The workshop encompasses seven weekly, two-hour sessions, which present participants with strategies for avoiding falls, including balance and strength exercises, home safety modifications, medication review and more. Guest experts — a physical therapist, pharmacist and others — will provide fall prevention information and strategies. The free-of-charge program is designed for persons aged 60 and older who have fallen or have a fear of falling.

“Participants can expect to finish the program with more strength, better balance and a feeling of confidence and independence,” Bales added. 

Those interested can register by contacting Bales at (937) 481-2264 or via email at erin_bales@wulmington.edu.

The College’s Master of Science program in Occupational Therapy is a residential, entry-level program, designed with a unique focus on enhancing rural health care services. Students who attend this program will be well-prepared for practice in a wide variety of health care settings, with all age groups and diverse populations. Participation in the program requires a commitment of approximately 24 months, with students spending their first four semesters on campus completing the required coursework, and then leaving campus for the last two semesters to engage in the required Level II Fieldwork experiences.