Gifford’s Rehabilitation Team is offering fall risk assessment screenings at the Kingwood Health Center in Randolph. These screenings are free and open to everyone, not just Gifford patients.
While fall risk assessments can be done at any age, they are most beneficial for older patients and involve simple, functional movements to determine a person’s safety level.
“These screenings help families determine if an elderly family member needs assistance at home in order to remain safe,” says Troy Stratton, Gifford’s Rehabilitation Manager. “The goal of the assessment is to establish the potential risks for falls and figure out a person’s next steps.”
Those steps may include coaching a patient to identify their risks for falls, offering recommendations on the use of an assistive device such as cane or walker, making referrals to a primary care provider for follow-up care, or scheduling physical therapy appointments.
Patients will be asked to perform physical actions such as walking, turning, reaching and bending to pick items up off the floor. Each screening will last roughly thirty minutes, which includes the actual assessment period as well as time for a review of the therapist’s findings.
To schedule an appointment, call 728-7711. Appointments are available:
Monday, May 21, 4-6 p.m.
Thursday, May 24, 8-10 a.m.
Thursday, May 31, 8-10 a.m.
Monday, June 4, 4-6 p.m.
