Steady Steps Program

At Mary Free Bed Outpatient Therapy Center, our Steady Steps therapists evaluate patients for risk factors associated with falling, and then develop an individualized treatment program for improved independence and safety.

Steady Steps Program Services

Mary Free Bed's specially trained physical therapists work with patients on an individual basis to address balance, strength, flexibility, and gait problems. Our specially trained occupational therapists will address the needs of those individuals who have visual impairments or deficits in activities of daily living that result in falls.

Services include

• Evaluation
• Risk factor assessment
• Therapy
• Home evaluation, if necessary
• Customized exercise program
• Patient and family education

Who Uses These Services

Elderly patients who have a recent fall history secondary to:

• Deconditioning
• Orthopedic trauma or surgery
• Osteoporosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Visual impairment secondary to macular degeneration, visual field neglect, decreased visual acuity secondary to aging, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and low vision

Others who may benefit:

• Patients who fall with no known cause
• Patients with a fear of falling
• Patients with a history of disability such as stroke, brain, or spinal cord injury who have recently started to experience falls

Services Explained

To be seen, a patient must first have his or her condition evaluated by a physician who writes a prescription.

Evaluation
Our assessment will take into account the patient’s medical and social history. Our evaluation may include:

• Balance assessment
• Visual screen
• Mini-mental status screen
• Risk factor assessment
• Musculoskeletal and functional mobility evaluation
• Gait analysis
• Sensory testing
• Coordination testing
• Fall reduction home assessment guide

Patient and Family Education
We consider family involvement to be a key component of our program. We educate both the patient and the family, or caregiver on any potential safety concerns. We provide training, and support to ensure that the patient’s treatment is able to continue at home and in other settings. Patient and family education will include a fall reduction home assessment guide.

Therapy
Each patient’s treatment program is individualized based on the problem areas identified at the evaluation. Treatment interventions may include:

• Strategies to reduce the risk of falling
• Falling activities for proper fall techniques and recovery
• Balance training
• Strengthening exercises
• Range of motion and flexibility exercises
• Gait training on various surfaces and terrain
• Transfer training
• Activities of daily living training
• Visual reaction time and retraining activities
• Evaluation and ordering of assistive and adaptive equipment, as needed
• Home evaluation and short term in-home treatment for environmental modifications/strategies as needed
• Customized home exercise program

Contact the Steady Steps Program

For more information or to make a referral, please contact Mary Free Bed's Steady Steps Program.

PHONE
616.242.0366 or 800.668.6001

FAX PRESCRIPTIONS
616.493.9827

EMAIL
adult.outpatient@maryfreebed.com

LOCATION
350 Lafayette SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4651 | Map

DOWNLOAD
Outpatient Referral Form