Fall Prevention Tips with Tai Chi – Peabody COA

Mary Demakes, Registered Nurse of Private Home Health Care, and Kuan Chung Chen of Tai Chi Acupuncture & Wellness conducted a “Fall Prevention Tips with Tai Chi” interactive presentation at the Peabody Senior Center to an audience of over 45 attendees on October 29, 2014. The attendees learned fall prevention tips in the home and hospital, how to get up from a fall, and Tai Chi movements; namely, standing and walking to help them improve balance and strength. The attentive audience asked questions of Registered Nurse Demakes, and eagerly took part the Tai Chi demonstrations by Kaun Chung Chen. The event was so interesting and effective that the audience asked when the duo could return for more. “Fall prevention is an important topic because although seniors fall more often, individuals of all ages fall,” said Demakes. “The statistics are an eye opener, with over 30% of seniors 65+ falling at least once per year, and of this group 50% will obtain hip fractures or other injuries that result in 56% of these fallers facing complications leading to death,” added Demakes. “Tai Chi helps with fall prevention because it focuses on weight shifting, postural alignment, coordination movements, and deep breathing, among other things,” said Kaun Chen. The over 25 years of experience that both individuals bring to this interactively insightful presentation shows in the audience’s responsiveness and high attendance levels. “We have received excellent feedback on the interest in these topics from attendees and have plans to continue offering it at the Council of Aging Centers, JCCs, YMCAs and Senor Centers throughout the North Shore, Metro West and Greater Boston areas.” said Bonnie Akerson, Director of Marketing and Business Development.  “We  are booking this event 2015 and interested individuals can contact us for more information,” added Akerson.