Judy Dvorak, right, uses leg weights to do one of eight balance and strength exercises taught in Stepping On, a seven-week class aimed at preventing falls among older adults. It's one of several ways seniors can reduce their risk of falls. Seated near Dvorak at the Verona Senior Center are, from left, Esther Hanson, Walter Thieszen and Karen Thieszen.
Walter and Karen Thieszen, of Verona, practice leg exercises at Stepping On, a falls prevention class available through Safe Communities Madison and Dane County. Walter Thieszen, a retired state worker who has Parkinson's disease, has fallen several times, sustaining some injuries.
Jane Leahy, of Madison, fell on a trip to Slovenia two years ago and broke her hip, requiring her to stay in the country for hip surgery. The retired teacher signed up for Stepping On, a class focused on reducing falls.
Joyce Pohl, a retired physical therapist, demonstrates the use of a cane, and features to consider when buying one, at a Stepping On class at the Verona Senior Center. At the class are, from left, Karen Thieszen, Judy Dvorak and Beverly Lewis.
Gina Riesen, right, does a falls risk assessment at the Waunakee home of Rosalie and Norbert Michels. Riesen, of SSM Health's Safe at Home program, suggested grab bars around the toilets and in the shower, and other improvements. The Michels made the upgrades with some financial assistance from the program.
Gina Riesen, right, with Norbert Michels in his garage in Waunakee, suggested putting bright tape on the step from the kitchen hallway to serve as a visual reminder of the descent. A worker from SSM Health, through which Riesen conducted the home assessment, later applied the tape.
Jeanice Franklin of Madison gets a comprehensive medication review from pharmacist Karen Roby, a volunteer through the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin. Franklin takes eight medications, including three in the morning for high blood pressure, a class of drugs that can cause dizziness and increase the risk of falls. Roby suggested moving one of the blood pressure pills to nighttime.
Some prescriptions can increase the risk of falls. In comprehensive medication reviews, pharmacists review drugs to see if some can be dropped or moved to different times of day to reduce the risk.
Judy Dvorak, right, uses leg weights to do one of eight balance and strength exercises taught in Stepping On, a seven-week class aimed at preventing falls among older adults. It's one of several ways seniors can reduce their risk of falls. Seated near Dvorak at the Verona Senior Center are, from left, Esther Hanson, Walter Thieszen and Karen Thieszen.
Jeanice Franklin of Madison gets a comprehensive medication review from pharmacist Karen Roby, a volunteer through the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin. Franklin takes eight medications, including three in the morning for high blood pressure, a class of drugs that can cause dizziness and increase the risk of falls. Roby suggested moving one of the blood pressure pills to nighttime.
Gina Riesen, right, does a falls risk assessment at the Waunakee home of Rosalie and Norbert Michels. Riesen, of SSM Health's Safe at Home program, suggested grab bars around the toilets and in the shower, and other improvements. The Michels made the upgrades with some financial assistance from the program.
Walter and Karen Thieszen, of Verona, practice leg exercises at Stepping On, a falls prevention class available through Safe Communities Madison and Dane County. Walter Thieszen, a retired state worker who has Parkinson's disease, has fallen several times, sustaining some injuries.
Jane Leahy, of Madison, fell on a trip to Slovenia two years ago and broke her hip, requiring her to stay in the country for hip surgery. The retired teacher signed up for Stepping On, a class focused on reducing falls.
Gina Riesen, right, with Norbert Michels in his garage in Waunakee, suggested putting bright tape on the step from the kitchen hallway to serve as a visual reminder of the descent. A worker from SSM Health, through which Riesen conducted the home assessment, later applied the tape.
Joyce Pohl, a retired physical therapist, demonstrates the use of a cane, and features to consider when buying one, at a Stepping On class at the Verona Senior Center. At the class are, from left, Karen Thieszen, Judy Dvorak and Beverly Lewis.
Some prescriptions can increase the risk of falls. In comprehensive medication reviews, pharmacists review drugs to see if some can be dropped or moved to different times of day to reduce the risk.
