On Tuesday, Jacksonville Health and Rehab’s Brantley Newton and Jennifer Davis conducted a fall prevention seminar at the Jacksonville Senior Center. Seniors in attendance learned how to prevent falls and how to deal with them if they occur.

Davis, JHR’s Rehab Director, instructed those in attendance on how to prevent falls in the home by identifying possible risks that may exist and how to respond should a fall occur.

“Differences in surface heights are a major cause of falls. Rugs can be particularly hazardous because they can become entangled in your feet and cause you to lose your balance. Removing these types of hazards are very important in preventing falls,” said Davis.

Davis also demonstrated several techniques on how to get up should a fall occur. One of these techniques included positioning oneself on their buttocks by using your arms to position your body in a seated position. Once seated, she demonstrated how your arms can be used to move your body along the floor to reach a support surface, such as a chair, which she used to assist herself to a standing position.

Davis also highlighted the importance of planning for a fall.

“Having a cordless or cellular phone within reach to call for help if you are unable to get to a standing position is very helpful in those situations,” said Davis. Carrying a phone on your body or mounting them in a lower position that can be reached while lying on the floor, are some of the suggestions she offered.

Newton, JHR’s administrator, brought a new piece of equipment they are using at JHR called a Biodex.

“The Biodex is a useful tool for our therapist to use in identifying problems with a patient’s balance. Once the problems have been identified, the therapist create and implement a physical or occupational therapy plan of treatment, then use before and after data from the Biodex to evaluate their progress. One unexpected but welcomed benefit from using the Biodex is that patients become more motivated as they see their scores on the Biodex progressing,” said Newton.

Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy for their short term and long-term patients.

“We also have a secure unit for those with conditions that may require more assistance and security such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” said Newton. JHR is located at 410 Wilson Dr. SW in Jacksonville and can be reached at 256-435-7704.