Free “Strength and Balance” Screenings for Seniors at Apple Valley Medical Center

APPLE VALLEY, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A fall can devastate the safety, independence and sense of security of
seniors in their own home.

To mark national Rehabilitation Awareness Week (Sept. 21-25), Courage
Kenny Sports & Physical Therapy at the Apple Valley Medical Center is
offering free “strength and balance” screenings from 11 am to 1 pm on
Tuesday, September 22, to anyone concerned about the risk of falling or
who has fallen previously.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, falls are the leading
cause of injury for children and for all adults 35 and older. They
account for almost half of the hospitalized injuries and are the leading
cause of injuries treated in emergency departments.

Minnesotans of all ages have fall death rates one and one-half times
higher than the U.S. rates, and among the elderly, Minnesota fall death
rates are more than three times greater than the national rate. One of
every three Americans 65 years old or older falls each year, and falls
are the leading cause of injury deaths among this age group. Falls
account for 87 percent of all fractures for people 65 years and older,
and they are the second leading cause of spinal cord and brain injury
among older adults.

“Falls can result in significant lifestyle changes,” said Ryan Smith,
Site Coordinator, Courage Kenny Sports & Physical Therapy, Apple Valley.
“This screening will teach individuals a few easy adjustments they can
make in their home, which may prevent a future fall.”

Risk factors for falling at home include:

  • Age (Those 65 or older are most likely to fall at home.)
  • One or more falls in the last year
  • Vision issues
  • Balance problems
  • Taking more than three prescription medications
  • Diet
  • Sensory issues with extremities
  • Timid/uneven gait pattern when walking
  • Dizziness
  • Use of alcohol or controlled substances

The free screenings take five to 10 minutes and involve two short tests
of a person’s gait and ability to stand up and sit down without using
his or her arms. If a person is identified as at-risk, he or she may be
referred to a hospital’s falls prevention program, which involves
working with a physical and occupational therapist (and other
professionals as appropriate) to tackle issues.

Although the screenings at the Apple Valley Medical Center on September
22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. are free, appointments are limited and
reservations are requested. Please call 651-241-3880 to reserve a spot.

Background: The Apple Valley Medical Center includes the
independent Apple Valley Medical Clinic of 14 family practice physicians
and one physician assistant, serving patients from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
five days a week. It also includes a 24-hour Urgent Care center. In
addition, through an affiliation with United Hospital, part of Allina
Health, approximately 25 specialty physicians see patients through the
United Specialty Center, providing services in allergy and asthma; ankle
and foot; cardiology; colon and rectal surgery; dermatology; ear, nose
and throat; general surgery; low back & neck care; ob/gyn;
ophthalmology; orthopedics; orthopedic spine; podiatry and urology. The
Apple Valley Medical Center also houses United Medical Imaging for
digital mammography, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans; a full-service
pharmacy; and physical medicine and rehabilitation care through Courage
Kenny Sports & Physical Therapy – Apple Valley.

Contacts

Courage Kenny Sports & Physical Therapy, Apple Valley
Ryan
Smith, 651-241-3880
ryan.smith@allina.com
or
Haberle
Communications
Sue Haberle, 763-550-0101
susan.haberle@habcom.biz

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