Class date rescheduled! - Helping you stay balanced
February 2, 2005

Plumbing for a Leaky Bladder
January 21, 2005

Helping You Stay Balanced
January 21, 2005

Class date rescheduled! - Helping you stay balanced

February 2, 2005

Polk County residents 65 years of age and older can reduce their risk of falling by attending West Valley Hospital's Balance Improvement and Fall Prevention class.

"One-third of adults over age 65 falls each year, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for this age group," says Troy Hattan, physical therapist and balance-improvement instructor at West Valley Hospital.

Participants in this eight-week course will practice exercises to help improve their balance and prevent falls, and will also learn how to modify their home environments to reduce the risk of falling.

Participants must be 65+, living independently in the community, not have had more than two falls in the last six months, and not currently using a walker, although a cane is acceptable.

[b]The new class start date is Feb. 14[/b]. Class meets twice weekly, for eight weeks, from 10-11 a.m. It concludes on April 8. Location is West Valley Hospital's conference room, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Cost: $40. Call (503) 561-5639 to register.

"We offer this course to help seniors in our community optimize their independence, health, safety and quality of life," says Hattan. "I'm looking forward to helping a lot of Polk County senior stay healthy this year."

Plumbing for a Leaky Bladder

January 21, 2005

Urinary incontinence, often seen as a sensitive and personal topic, will be discussed at a workshop for Polk County residents on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6-7:30 P.M. at West Valley Hospital conference room, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas.

�Embarrassment, shame and a mistaken sense of futility about managing the problem of incontinence can create barriers that prevent people from seeking help,� says Jane Mitchell, physical therapist at West Valley Hospital and program instructor.

The program will address how the urinary system works and causes of involuntary urine loss. Treatment of urinary incontinence by physical therapists will be discussed, and the biofeedback equipment that improves treatment effectiveness will be demonstrated. The class will be small, the environment will be relaxed and individual questions will be welcome.

Cost: $10. Call (503) 561-5639 to register.

�Incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging. It is usually related to muscle weakness, and as with other weak muscles, strength can be improved with correct exercise techniques,� says Mitchell, who also notes that it�s especially a topic in which women should be interested. "Fifty-three percent of women of all ages experience some form of urinary incontinence."

Helping You Stay Balanced

January 21, 2005

Polk County residents 65 years of age and older can reduce their risk of falling by attending West Valley Hospital�s Balance Improvement and Fall Prevention class.

�One-third of adults over age 65 falls each year, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for this age group,� says Troy Hattan, physical therapist and balance-improvement instructor at West Valley Hospital.

Participants in this eight-week course will practice exercises to help improve their balance and prevent falls, and will also learn how to modify their home environments to reduce the risk of falling.

Participants must be 65+, living independently in the community, not have had more than two falls in the last six months, and not currently using a walker, although a cane is acceptable.

Class meets twice weekly, for eight weeks, Feb. 4�March 28, 10�11 a.m., at West Valley Hospital�s conference room, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Cost: $40. Call (503) 561-5639 to register.

�We offer this course to help seniors in our community optimize their independence, health, safety and quality of life,� says Hattan. �I�m looking forward to helping a lot of Polk County senior stay healthy this year.�