Stay Upright, Stay Strong: Prevent Falls with Upright U!
Did you know that falls are one of the top reasons Douglas County residents visit the emergency department each year? The good news is that many of these falls are preventable. That’s why LMH Health Therapy Services is offering Upright U! to help you stay strong, steady and confident on your feet.
Upright U! is a six-week group exercise program that uses simple and effective strength and balance activities to help you focus on movement. Each class is designed to help you progress safely.
You’ll reduce your risk for falls and gain:
- Improved balance and coordination
- Increased strength and stability
- More confidence in daily activities
“Our goal for this program is to offer community members a way to be proactive in their overall health and quality of life,” said Nami Stone, LMH Health physical therapy director. “We’re combining education with activities and exercises that can improve balance, helping reduce the risk of falls.”
Classes are led by physical therapist Stacia Bone and physical therapy assistants Lynette Palmer and Katy Poff. Bone has advanced training in evaluating and treating patients with concussions, dizziness and balance problems and holds a Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation from the American Physical Therapy Association.
“Stacia is one of the top vestibular therapists in the region. She has advanced training and the team has come up with a brilliant program,” Stone said.
Upright U! is designed to help you learn what you need to do to keep your body safe, and includes balance and flexibility exercises. Each class begins with group stretching and leads into strengthening and balance activities.
Is Upright U Right for You?
Are you ready to take the next step with Upright U?
Sign up here.
Upright U! is open to people of any age who would benefit from the program. If you can walk independently, with or without a cane or walker, then Upright U is a great fit! We offer two levels of classes to best meet your needs.
Balance 101 is ideal if you:
- Can rise from a chair without help
- Can stand or walk household distances
- You can walk independently with or without a device
Balance 201 is a good fit if you can walk comfortably around the community, either with or without an assistive device.
When can I participate?
Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Sports Pavilion Lawrence. Each session lasts for six weeks and costs $85. Stone shared that thanks to the generosity of the LMH Health Foundation, scholarships may be available to cover the cost upon request.
Upcoming class sessions include:
- September 23 to October 30
- November 4 to December 18
Stone said that Upright U! is already getting great reviews from participants.
“People thoroughly enjoy the class and we see that they’re starting to get stronger,” she said. “We look to expand these classes in the future, allowing more people to participate and lower their risk of falls.”
