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A dark-skinned person with shoulder-length brown hair using a cane walks outside arm-in-arm with a tall, dark-skinned person with short brown hair.
KAREN (LEFT)
DIAGNOSED IN 2012

Free From Falls

The Free From Falls Program

Objectives

Program Structure

This program will provide you the same educational experience as an in-person program but with the convenience of access from your home. It comprises the following components:
  • 8 webinars focusing on physical, behavioral and environmental risk factors for falling and targeted strategies designed to reduce your risk of falls
  • Downloadable educational materials to review before and after each webinar
  • Video with exercises designed to improve postural alignment, balance, endurance and mobility, and therefore reduce your risk of falls
Always check with your healthcare team before beginning an exercise routine.
  • Handout Week 1, Snapshot of Your Home and Effect of MS on Balance.Watch the Causes and Risks video." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on causes and risk factors associated with falls among people with MS. After this session, you should be able to:
    • Understand the frequency of falls among people with MS
    • Describe the risk factors that can contribute to falls in people with MS
    • Understand the impact of falls on people with MS

    Instructions

    Download and review the course materials: Handout Week 1, Snapshot of Your Home and Effect of MS on Balance.Watch the Causes and Risks video.

  • Handout Week 2, Functional Approach to Exercise and Risky Habits That Can Lead to Falls.Watch the When Fears Fall Away video." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on the fear of falling and tips to improve balance confidence. After this session, you should be able to do the following:
    • Explore the fears you have about falling
    • Recognize how these fears affect your behaviors in everyday living
    • Practice strategies that will help you shift attitudes and behaviors caused by fear and enhance your ability to reduce falls or deal with falling

    Instructions

    Download and review the course materials: Handout Week 2, Functional Approach to Exercise and Risky Habits That Can Lead to Falls.Watch the When Fears Fall Away video.

  • Handout Week 3 and Basics of Body Mechanics.Watch the Optimizing Mobility video." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on mobility devices and medications that may improve mobility. After this session, you should be able to:
    • Describe when and why using mobility equipment might be helpful
    • Describe types of mobility equipment
    • Understand barriers to using mobility equipment
    • Identify medications that can improve walking speed and leg strength, reduce spasticity and improve gait

    Instructions

    Download and review the course materials: Handout Week 3 and Basics of Body Mechanics.Watch the Optimizing Mobility video.

  • Handout Week 4 and Flexibility and Range of Motion.Watch the Managing Energy video." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on factors that contribute to fatigue and how fatigue can contribute to falls. After this session, you should be able to:
    • Recognize how fatigue can affect falling and the importance of managing fatigue
    • Identify strategies to manage heat intolerance
    • Adopt strategies to manage cognitive issues that can lead to falls

    Instructions

    Download and review the course materials: Handout Week 4 and Flexibility and Range of Motion.Watch the Managing Energy video.

  • Handout Week 5, Assessing Your Risk of Falls at Home and Strength and Endurance.Watch the Staying Safe at Home video." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on reducing falls and fall hazards at home. After this session, you should be able to:
    • Explore possible hazards that might contribute to falls within and outside your home
    • Understand how simple changes can make your home environment safer
    • Identify specific changes you can make to your home environment to help reduce falls
    InstructionsDownload and review the course materials: Handout Week 5, Assessing Your Risk of Falls at Home and Strength and Endurance.Watch the Staying Safe at Home video.

  • Handout Week 6.Watch the Safe in the Community video." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on reducing falls and fall hazards in the community. After this session, you should be able to:
    • Recognize common causes of slips, trips and falls
    • Be aware of fall hazards in your community and learn how to navigate the community safely
    • Employ the Stop, Scan and Plan technique to identify and navigate fall risks in your community

    Instructions

    Download and review the course materials: Handout Week 6.Watch the Safe in the Community video.

  • Handout Week 7 and Fall Recovery.Watch the Recovering Safely If You Fall video." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on how to recover safely if you should fall. After this session, you should be able to:
    • Understand what to do after a fall
    • Learn how to get up from the ground safely if you should fall
    • Develop a personal emergency response plan in case of a fall

    Instructions

    Download and review the course materials: Handout Week 7 and Fall Recovery.Watch the Recovering Safely If You Fall video.

  • My Action Plan." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Overview

    This session focuses on evaluating how much you’ve learned during the program and bringing together key points from the previous lessons. After this session, you should be able to:
    • Review key learning messages
    • Develop your personal action plan and the next steps you will take to stay free from falls
    • Complete an evaluation of the program

    Instructions

    Download and complete the course materials: My Action Plan.

  • the OASIS Institute. This program was adapted for people living with MS by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Fall Prevention Program Development Committee (listed below).

    Funders

    Thank you to the following funders for generous, unrestricted educational gifts that supported the development and implementation of this program:

    Acorda Therapeutics
    Biogen Idec
    Genentech, Inc.
    Teva Neuroscience

    Fall Prevention Program Development Committee

    Thank you to the following individuals who contributed their experience and expertise to the development of the program:

    Peggy Buchanan
    Jeanette Chian
    Suzanne Carron, OTR/L, MSOT
    Stephanie Fisher, MA
    Debra Frankel, MS OTR
    Elise Herlihy, RN, MSN, CRRN, MSCN
    Karen McNulty, OTD, OTR/L
    Denise Nowack, RDN
    Kathy San Martino, PT, NCS, ATP, CLT
    Julia Santiago, MPA
    Diana M. Schneider, PhD
    Ashley R. Smith ACSM-CPT, ACE-GFI, MPH
    Barb Young, PT

    Reviewers

    We are grateful to the following individuals who reviewed the curriculum materials:

    David Alexander, MD
    Elissa Held Bradford, PT
    Nancy Dollenmeyer, MPT, MSCS
    Barbara Giesser, MD
    Nancy Law

    Thank you to the following individuals who adapted program materials for the web-based Free From Falls Program:

    Michelle Cameron, MD, PT
    Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
    Oregon Health Sciences University

    Meena Kannan, MD, MPH
    Clinical Instructor, Department of Neurology
    Oregon Health Sciences University

    We are grateful to the following individuals who helped develop the Building Better Balance exercise video:

    Randy Rasmussen
    Randy L. Rasmussen Photography
    randy@randyrasmussen.com

    Many thanks to those individuals living with MS who demonstrated the Building Better Balance exercises:

    Mary Babadazeh
    Michelle Hazen
    Darren Jones
    Brenda Lane
    Britta Schramm
    Leslie Shapiro
    Ashley Smith
    Deanna St. Julian
    John Stockton    " c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">

    Sources of Materials

    This comprehensive fall prevention program is an adaptation of OASIS’ Free From Falls program. For the original Free From Falls curriculum, please visit the OASIS Institute. This program was adapted for people living with MS by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Fall Prevention Program Development Committee (listed below).

    Funders

    Thank you to the following funders for generous, unrestricted educational gifts that supported the development and implementation of this program:

    Acorda Therapeutics
    Biogen Idec
    Genentech, Inc.
    Teva Neuroscience

    Fall Prevention Program Development Committee

    Thank you to the following individuals who contributed their experience and expertise to the development of the program:

    Peggy Buchanan
    Jeanette Chian
    Suzanne Carron, OTR/L, MSOT
    Stephanie Fisher, MA
    Debra Frankel, MS OTR
    Elise Herlihy, RN, MSN, CRRN, MSCN
    Karen McNulty, OTD, OTR/L
    Denise Nowack, RDN
    Kathy San Martino, PT, NCS, ATP, CLT
    Julia Santiago, MPA
    Diana M. Schneider, PhD
    Ashley R. Smith ACSM-CPT, ACE-GFI, MPH
    Barb Young, PT

    Reviewers

    We are grateful to the following individuals who reviewed the curriculum materials:

    David Alexander, MD
    Elissa Held Bradford, PT
    Nancy Dollenmeyer, MPT, MSCS
    Barbara Giesser, MD
    Nancy Law

    Thank you to the following individuals who adapted program materials for the web-based Free From Falls Program:

    Michelle Cameron, MD, PT
    Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
    Oregon Health Sciences University

    Meena Kannan, MD, MPH
    Clinical Instructor, Department of Neurology
    Oregon Health Sciences University

    We are grateful to the following individuals who helped develop the Building Better Balance exercise video:

    Randy Rasmussen
    Randy L. Rasmussen Photography
    randy@randyrasmussen.com

    Many thanks to those individuals living with MS who demonstrated the Building Better Balance exercises:

    Mary Babadazeh
    Michelle Hazen
    Darren Jones
    Brenda Lane
    Britta Schramm
    Leslie Shapiro
    Ashley Smith
    Deanna St. Julian
    John Stockton

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