Steady Steps Program

Falls among the elderly and the disabled often have potentially serious consequences, including an increased risk of disability, injury, and nursing home placement. Fall-related injuries are among the leading causes of death for the elderly. 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.

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 his or her family or caregiver on any potential safety concerns. We also 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 at:

Phone
616.242.0366 - or - 800.668.6001

Email
adult.outpatient@maryfreebed.com