Saint Joseph Hospital Employees Helping Seniors Reduce Injuries - Archived

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Saint Joseph Hospital Employees Helping Seniors Reduce Injuries
with Six-Step Balance Class
Series of movements and exercises can prevent falls and improve balance

Lexington, Ky. (Aug 1, 2016) -- For senior citizens, falling can be a scary, and even life-threatening experience. Each year, more than 1.6 million senior citizens are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. Falls are the leading cause of death, injury and hospital admissions among the elderly.
 
To help the local elderly population reduce injuries, employees of Saint Joseph Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health, are helping senior citizens improve their balance with the Six-Step Balance System, a national program designed to reduce the probability of falls and fall-related injuries. The new class will be held at the Carol Martin Gatton Beaumont YMCA, and will help teach the elderly about movements and simple exercises that are focused on improving balance.
 
Senior citizens are more likely than younger people to fall due to factors such as a lack of physical activity, impaired vision, medications, health conditions and environmental hazards in the home. By learning proper stretches, exercise and balance techniques, senior citizens can reduce their injuries.
 
The Six-Step Balance System teaches senior citizens daily activities that can be done at home to help improve balance and overall fitness. Simple activities taught in the program include stretching in bed, walking while talking on the phone, learning how to fall safely, dancing with a pillow and ball handling activities.  
 
“This is a national program that senior citizens will now be able to take advantage of locally,” said Kerry Lucas, physical therapist, KentuckyOne Health Rehabilitation. “This program is intended to help the elderly reduce their fear of falling, and reduce injuries. The class will also help them improve their flexibility, posture, leg strength and overall endurance.”
 
The Six-Step Balance System class will begin on August 15, 2016 at the Carol Martin Gatton Beaumont YMCA, located at 3251 Beaumont Centre Circle in Lexington. There are six classes, spread out over six weeks. Each class lasts an hour. For more information or to sign up, contact 859.219.0530.
 
About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, the largest and most comprehensive health system in the Commonwealth, has more than 200 locations including, hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.  The system is made up of the former Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System, along with the University of Louisville Hospital and James Graham Brown Cancer Center. KentuckyOne Health is proud of and strengthened by its Catholic, Jewish and academic heritages.