Stepping On Workshop

NEXT CLASS: FALL 2024 – Sign up below

Newman Regional Health conducts the Stepping On fall prevention program several times each year.

The aim of the program is to reduce falls, increase confidence and give people the tools to remain active, safe and independent within their community.

Stepping On features a unique, research-based, and proven guide to improving overall health, well-being, and physical strength while creating new social connections and companionship.

The program has a range of guest speakers including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists, transport, and safety presenters.

Stepping On meetings are held for 7 consecutive weeks.

Session 1: Introduction

Session 2: Moving about safely

Session 3: Advancing exercises and home hazards

Session 4: Vision and falls, community safety and footwear

Session 5: Managing medications, bone health, and better sleep

Session 6: Getting out and about

Session 7: Review and plan ahead

Fill out the registration form and mail or email the form to:
Newman Regional Health
ATTN: Anna Blanton, Stepping On Coordinator
1201 West 12th Avenue
Emporia, KS 66801
ablanton@newmanrh.org

Class Schedule

FALL 2024
Thursdays at
1:30 – 3:30
Emporia Senior Center
603 E 12th AVE
Emporia, KS 66801

Stepping On Registration

    Note: If your answer is NO, this workshop may not be appropriate for you. Consider talking with your doctor about having a falls assessment and other methods of preventing falls.
    Note: If your answer is NO, this workshop may not be appropriate for you. Consider talking with your doctor about having a falls assessment and other methods of preventing falls.
    Note: If you need assistance with a walker, scooter or wheelchair most of the time when walking indoors, this workshop may not be appropriate for you. Consider talking with your doctor about having a falls assessment and other methods of preventing falls.
    Note: If you have fallen six or more times in the past year, consider talking with your doctor about whether you may benefit from additional individualized assessment or intervention.
  • By submitting this registration form you agree to be contacted by a representative of Newman Regional Health by telephone or email. Your registration is time-stamped and recorded.

Stepping On Workshop follows the Kansas Department of Health and Environment format

http://www.kdheks.gov/idp/stepping_on.htm

Stepping On is a program that offers older adults a way of reducing falls by incorporating and discussing a range of issues that include falls and risks, strength and balance exercises, initiating a medication review, vision exams, home safety, safe footwear and what to do and how to cope after a fall. The Stepping On course consists of seven weekly classes that are each approximately two-hours in length, followed by a home assessment at three-months, and a six month follow-up.

The Stepping On program is research-based and scientifically proven to reduce falls by over 30% among participants. The original study was conducted by professional geriatric practitioners and researchers at the University of Sydney Australia as a 14-month randomized trial involving 310 elders aged 70 and older, who had a fall in the previous 12 months or were concerned about falls.
The eligibility criteria for participation in the Stepping On program is:

  • age 60 and older,
  • had a fall in the last year or have a fear of falling,
  • are cognitively intact and able to move independently on own or with assistance (cane or walker),

The Stepping On community workshops are facilitated by trained leaders who have successfully completed the 3-day Leader Training.

Overview of Stepping On Sessions:

Session 1 Introduction, Overview, and Choosing What to Cover
Get to know each other, provide an overview of program, share fall experiences and choose what additional topics to cover in the course of the program. Guest physical therapist introduces the balance and strength exercises.

Session 2 The Exercises and Moving about Safely
Review and practice exercises with guest physical therapist, explore the barriers and benefits of exercise, moving about safely – chairs and steps, learning not to panic after a fall.

Session 3 Advancing Exercises and Home Hazards
Review and practice exercises, discuss when and how to advance your exercises, identify hazards in and about the home and problem-solving solutions.

Session 4 Vision and Falls, Footwear, and Community Safety
Review and practice exercises. The guest vision expert discusses the influence of vision on risk of falling, and the guest community safety expert talks about strategies to get around the local community and reduce the risk of falling. Learn about the features of safe shoes and identify clothing hazards.

Session 5 Bone Health, Medication, and Sleeping Better
Describe the importance of Vitamin D, sunlight, and calcium to protect from fall related injury. The guest pharmacy expert talks about medications that increase falls risk. Strategies to sleep better are discussed.

Session 6 Getting Out and About
Discuss and give participants the opportunity to see and try hip protectors. Explore different weather conditions that could lead to a fall. Review exercises. With the guest physical therapist, practice safe mobility techniques learned during the program in a nearby outdoor location.

Session 7 Review and Plan Ahead
Review and practice exercises, review personal accomplishments from the past seven weeks. Reflect on the scope of things learned. Review anything requested. Finish any segment not adequately completed. Time for farewells and closure.

Connect With Us

Newman Regional Health
1201 W 12th Avenue
Emporia, KS 66801
620-343-6800
Newman Medical Plaza
1301 W 12th Avenue
Emporia, KS 66801