Retirement community uses new technology to prevent falls


Retirement community uses new technology to prevent falls

Falling is the leading cause of injuries for seniors.An older person falls every second of every day in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.But steps can be taken to prevent falls, and a retirement community in Cumberland County is using new technology to take action.New kind of diagnostic testing assesses falling riskAt 81 years old, Corinne Kostukovich has been learning how to walk correctly. It starts with an exercise that looks more like a video game than a serious medical assessment.”Oh, it’s superb. I think it’s grand,” Kostukovich said.She’s one of more than 150 seniors at Bethany Village Retirement Community in Lower Allen Township who have gone through the new kind of diagnostic testing to assess their risk of falling.”I did have a problem. I fell twice. But I’m really good now. I really feel comfortable walking,” she said.The test can measure how people stand, their balance and hand-eye coordination.Those who are flagged as being at special risk of falling can take an eight-week balance class that teaches them how to correct bad habits, including shuffling or leaning heavily on help.”From the individuals that were pretested and then post-tested, from our balance class in particular, we’ve had numbers off the roof,” said Justin Margut, the director of wellness.Helping seniors build confidenceThe test can also help seniors build their confidence and better prevent future falls.”If they’re fearful of falling, they actually don’t walk normal. Even thought they may be capable of walking correctly, they don’t because of that fear,” Margut said.Kostukovich has graduated from two balance classes, and her scores reflect that.”We would put her at a very low risk of falling,” Margut said.Bethany Village employees hope to test more seniors to keep as many of them on their feet as possible.

Falling is the leading cause of injuries for seniors.

An older person falls every second of every day in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But steps can be taken to prevent falls, and a retirement community in Cumberland County is using new technology to take action.

New kind of diagnostic testing assesses falling risk

At 81 years old, Corinne Kostukovich has been learning how to walk correctly. It starts with an exercise that looks more like a video game than a serious medical assessment.

“Oh, it’s superb. I think it’s grand,” Kostukovich said.

She’s one of more than 150 seniors at Bethany Village Retirement Community in Lower Allen Township who have gone through the new kind of diagnostic testing to assess their risk of falling.

“I did have a problem. I fell twice. But I’m really good now. I really feel comfortable walking,” she said.

The test can measure how people stand, their balance and hand-eye coordination.

Those who are flagged as being at special risk of falling can take an eight-week balance class that teaches them how to correct bad habits, including shuffling or leaning heavily on help.

“From the individuals that were pretested and then post-tested, from our balance class in particular, we’ve had numbers off the roof,” said Justin Margut, the director of wellness.

Helping seniors build confidence

The test can also help seniors build their confidence and better prevent future falls.

“If they’re fearful of falling, they actually don’t walk normal. Even thought they may be capable of walking correctly, they don’t because of that fear,” Margut said.

Kostukovich has graduated from two balance classes, and her scores reflect that.

“We would put her at a very low risk of falling,” Margut said.

Bethany Village employees hope to test more seniors to keep as many of them on their feet as possible.


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