Annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day

While falls prevention is important to focus on throughout the year, the first day of fall (September 22) is designated as Falls Prevention Awareness Day and acknowledged across the United States. This year, the La Crosse County Falls Prevention Coalition, in partnership with the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of La Crosse County and the R.W. Houser Family YMCA, is excited to annouce that activities will be held at the R.W. Houser Family YMCA located at 400 Mason St, Onalaska, WI. This event will showcase local resources and information to help you stay informed, active, and free from falls. Join us!

Friday, September 22nd, 2023

10:00 AM: Welcome! Join us for coffee and conversation.

10:30 AM: Keynote presentation, Friends, Focus, and Feeling Good, by Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership, Viterbo University. Our health and well being is directly related to relationships, the ability to focus which positively affects our emotional well being. "Wherever your attention goes, your engery flows, and your focus grows." No registration required.

11:30 AM: Breakout sessions available. Registration required. To register for one of the sessions below, call 608-785-5700.

Y Chair Circuit (session 1). A low-impact class that incorporates cardio and strength training to provide a total body workout. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of seated and standing postures designed to increase flexibility, balance, and range of movement. Lead by Y Group Fitness Instructor. Max: 25

Medication Interventions for Falls Prevention. Review how the body changes as we age and how this effects the medications we take. Learn which medications may be inapporpriate for use and identify strategies to take your medications correctly and safely. Lead by Kassie Kollauf, PharmD, Gundersen Pharmacy Cass Street. Max: 40

12:00-1:30 PM: Fall/risk screening, resource tables, & refreshments. No registration required. First come, first served.

12:00 PM: Breakout sessions available. Registration required. To register for one of the sessions below, call 608-785-5700.

Y Chair Circuit (session 2). A low-impact class that incorporates cardio and strength training to provide a total body workout. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of seated and standing postures designed to increase flexibility, balance, and range of movement. Lead by Y Group Fitness Instructor. Max: 25

Balance & Brain Health as We Age. According to a growing body of research on balance and longevity, maintaining the skill of moving your body confidently throughout the day as you age has far bigger implications. It may actually increase the likelihood of living a longer, more fulfilling life. While that is partly because of the fact that having good balance can spare you from a longevity-busting fall, the process of balancing well is also linked with a host of healthy neurological functions necessary to keep you safe and independent as you grow older. Lead by Bernice Olson-Pollack, American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer, YMCA. Max: 25

Fall Into Healthy Habits. A cooking demo with samples to try and discussion of the health benefits of ingredients used. Lead by Natalie Schmit, Registered Dietitian, Kwik Trip Center for Health. Max: 40

Y Shallow Water Exercise (12:15-12:45 PM). A low-impact class that incorporates cardiovascular and muscle conditioning exercises using the water as resistance. No lap swimming skills are necessary. Lead by Y Group Fitness Instructor. Max: 30

12:30 PM: Breakout sessions available. Registration required. To register for one of the sessions below, call 608-785-5700.

Y Zumba Gold (session 1). A low-impact dance fitness class that focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination. Come ready to sweat and groove to Latin and World rhythms, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong. Lead by Y Group Fitness Instructor. Max: 25

Y Chair Yoga (session 1). A slow-paced class that moves through a series of seated and standing yoga poses and stretches focused on increasing flexibility, balance, and range of movement. Lead by Y Group Fitness Instructor. Max: 25

Emergency Planning Basics. Life is unexpected. If an accident or crisis happens, are you prepared? If you are a caregiver and something happens to you, do you have a plan for your loved one? It is time to start thinking about your emergency back-up plan. A good emergency plan includes all the information that someone else will need in order to take care of you and your loved one. This session will help you start! Lead by Kristine Meyer, Caregiver Coordinator, Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of La Crosse County. Max: 25

Bingocize (session 1). Try this evidence-based health promotion program that combines the game of bingo, health education, and/or exercise! Lead by Megan Anderson, Trauma and Injury Prevention Coordinator, Gundersen Health System. Max: 40

1:00 PM: Breakout sessions available. Registration required. To register for one of the sessions below, call 608-785-5700.

Y Zumba Gold (session 2). A low-impact dance fitness class that focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination. Come ready to sweat and groove to Latin and World rhythms, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong. Lead by Y Group Fitness Instructor. Max: 25

Y Chair Yoga (session 2). A slow-paced class that moves through a series of seated and standing yoga poses and stretches focused on increasing flexibility, balance, and range of movement. Lead by Y Group Fitness Instructor. Max: 25

Could a cane be helpful to my walking & balance? A discussion of types of canes, advantages and disadvantages, how to use one correctly, and why some people need lots of coaxing to use one! If time permits, participants will go on a guided walk around the building. Lead by Marsha Bateman, La Crosse County Falls Prevention Coalition. Max: 25

Bingocize (session 2). Try this evidence-based health promotion program that combines the game of bingo, health education, and/or exercise! Lead by Megan Anderson, Trauma and Injury Prevention Coordinator, Gundersen Health System. Max: 40

1:30 PM: Closing presentation, Self-Care...Far from Selfish. Sometimes it is easier for us to take care of others than it is to focus on ourselves. This presention will talk about changing that perception, using information learned and resources gathered from today's event, and allow for today to be day one of creating a healing environment from the inside-out. Presented by Christie Harris, Wellness Education Specialist, Gundersen Health System.

Event sponsored by the Aging & Disability Resource Center of La Crosse County and facilitiated by the La Crosse County Falls Prevention Coalition.