RISE Fitness + Adventure promotes fall prevention for seniors
RISE Fitness + Adventure welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds in fitness, especially those at high risk for falling.
James “Burn” Condry, the oldest member of RISE, took a fall this past December. At almost 85 years old, Condry’s tumble left him with stitches. During the past two years, he has fallen three or four times, hitting his head and breaking his wrist.
The loss of balance, mobility and strength is common with age, especially in the retirement communities of Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and surrounding areas. Mike Scheerer, the Emergency Medical Services supervisor at Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, responds to these calls every day. “We see a lot of falls in our district,” Scheerer said. “In the last year, we have responded to 545 emergency calls related to an individual falling. Out of those calls, 302 people were transported to the hospital.”
Despite these alarming numbers, falls can be prevented by taking proper precautions. Older adults need to do exercises that improve their balance and strength, decreasing the risk of falls and potential injury.
Condry has been a member of RISE for about two-and-a-half years, and he has worked with every trainer the gym has to offer. During the months he is not actively training, he sometimes falls. After his most recent fall in December, Condry was paired with RISE’s newest trainer, Colleen Beck.
Beck starts Condry’s sessions with work to help improve his stability, including single-leg and tandem stance balance exercises. She gives him tasks that focus on footwork, postural strength or holding for time. After working on these balance techniques, Beck then takes Condry to work on strength, primarily in his legs. The combination of these balance and strength exercises builds his stability and overall coordination, making him less likely to fall.
Beck said it’s never too early to start focusing on these issues. “The moment you feel unsteady, go to either a trainer or a therapist,” she said.
Most people don’t realize the severity of the problem among older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a web page dedicated to the escalating pandemic of falling among seniors, cdc.gov/falls/index.html. In 2019, research showed that more than 34,000 deaths were caused by falls among people age 65 and older. The page contains facts, data and resources to help those at risk.
With each fall, Condry has better understood the importance of increasing his balance, mobility and strength. “As I get older and older, I find myself taking more interest, because I’d like to stay alive and in good health,” Condry said. Not only does he notice a difference in his physical health when he works out regularly, but also, he sees improvement in his thinking.
Condry enjoys coming to RISE because of the accommodating staff and the knowledge the team members have. Two of the trainers he has worked with, including Beck, have physical therapy experience; they consider all of Condry’s age-related problems, and provide the best exercises and stretches to help with his balance, posture and coordination.
“I go to RISE for one reason,” Condry said. “I want to live healthfully, happily and without pain, and RISE has helped me tremendously. The owners, trainers and staff are available anytime you need them.”
“At RISE, we are talking a lot about fall prevention right now,” said Amanda Peters, operations director. “Due to COVID, we are seeing more and more elderly members having issues with their balance. Because of their isolation and physical habits being limited, their mobility has been affected.” She and Ryan Peters, company director, decided to promote fall prevention to the community directly with this article.
For more information on fall prevention and help, go to the RISE Fitness + Adventure website, trainatrise.com, visit the facility at 35770 Airport Road, Rehoboth Beach, or call 302-567-2112 to set up a free consultation.
