Undergraduate Admissions
PT Students to Focus on Seniors and Preventing Falls
April 17 event is designed to make older adults better aware of personal risk factors for falling
Nearly 20 Gannon University physical therapy students will participate in an event designed to help older adults prevent potentially dangerous falls by gaining a better understanding of their personal risk factors.
The third annual “Senior Fall Risk Screening Event” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, at First Alliance Church, 2939 Zimmerly Road. It is free and open to the public.
Organizers are hoping for 200 people to attend.
Gannon’s doctor of physical therapy students will be assisted by local nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and audiologists. Specifically, participants will have the opportunity to have on-site assessments of their vision, hearing, pulse, blood pressure, and balance.
In addition, the Gannon students and the health practitioners will review with participants potential home safety hazards that may lead to increased risk of falls. For example, organizers will stress the importance of clearing unnecessary clutter, having proper lighting inside and outside the home, placing grab bars strategically, and properly using step stools and ladders. Older adults – generally considered as age 60 and older – also can reduce their risk of falls by using shower benches and hand rails on steps.
The students and practitioners will recommend for participants an “action plan” designed to reduce the risk of falls.
Individuals interested in participating can contact Kristine Legters, PT, DSc, NCS, chairperson and associate professor, Gannon University doctor of physical therapy program, at 814-871-5641, or Doreen Wishnok, RN, at 814-602-8696.
The event is made possible by the Erie Community Fall Prevention Task Force, which is comprised of Gannon University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital, Hamot Medical Center, St. Vincent Health Center, Great Lakes Home Health Care, Millcreek Community Hospital, Erie Home Health, Theresa Wheeling, MD, Hamot Shock Trauma, and the Erie Center on Health and Aging.
The third annual “Senior Fall Risk Screening Event” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, at First Alliance Church, 2939 Zimmerly Road. It is free and open to the public.
Organizers are hoping for 200 people to attend.
Gannon’s doctor of physical therapy students will be assisted by local nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and audiologists. Specifically, participants will have the opportunity to have on-site assessments of their vision, hearing, pulse, blood pressure, and balance.
In addition, the Gannon students and the health practitioners will review with participants potential home safety hazards that may lead to increased risk of falls. For example, organizers will stress the importance of clearing unnecessary clutter, having proper lighting inside and outside the home, placing grab bars strategically, and properly using step stools and ladders. Older adults – generally considered as age 60 and older – also can reduce their risk of falls by using shower benches and hand rails on steps.
The students and practitioners will recommend for participants an “action plan” designed to reduce the risk of falls.
Individuals interested in participating can contact Kristine Legters, PT, DSc, NCS, chairperson and associate professor, Gannon University doctor of physical therapy program, at 814-871-5641, or Doreen Wishnok, RN, at 814-602-8696.
The event is made possible by the Erie Community Fall Prevention Task Force, which is comprised of Gannon University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital, Hamot Medical Center, St. Vincent Health Center, Great Lakes Home Health Care, Millcreek Community Hospital, Erie Home Health, Theresa Wheeling, MD, Hamot Shock Trauma, and the Erie Center on Health and Aging.
109 University Square • Erie, Pennsylvania 16541-0001
1-800 GANNON-U (1-800-426-6668) or 814-871-7000
Web site Powered by ActiveCampus™ Software by LiquidMatrix