The primary purpose of the Balance and Falls SIG is to provide a forum for the increase of knowledge and quality of Physical Therapy practice in relation to older persons with balance problems and an increased risk for falling.

Resources include, but are not limited to:
    • Programs at Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)
    • Regular articles in GeriNotes
    • Journal Club discussions
    • Quarterly news postings to the web page
    • OPEN ACCESS Toolkits to improve clinical management through presentation of resources and existing literature
    • Annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day Kick Off Calls and Events
    • “Ask the Research Liaison”: Email us with your burning questions and get an evidence-informed answer from the BF SIG Research Liaison
    • Monthly Challenge email

There are many opportunities for participation, so please consider getting involved! To participate or learn more about current SIG activities and projects, contact the SIG chair at agptbalanceandfallssig@gmail.com or check out available postings on APTA Engage.

SIG LEADERSHIP

  • CHAIR: Heidi Moyer, PT, DPT
  • VICE CHAIR: Haim Nesser, PT, DPT
  • SECRETARY: Beth Castellini, PT
  • CLINICAL LIAISONS: Stefanie Bond, PT, DPT; Anne Reilley, PT, DPT; and Heather Timothy, PT, MSPT
  • RESEARCH LIAISON: Jennifer Gindoff, PT, DPT, DHSc
  • EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL LIAISON: Holly Bennett, PT, DPT and Kimberlyn Thomas, PT, DPT
  • COMMUNITY LIAISON: Tammy McHugh, PT, DPT
  • KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION LIAISON: Deborah Constantine, PT, DPT
  • PTA LIAISON: Gina Henebury, PTA
  • EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL LIAISON: Holly Bennett, PT, DPT and Kimberlyn Thomas PT, DPT
  • STUDENT LIAISON: Daniel Truong, SPT, Sarah Roberts, SPT
  • SPECIAL PROJECTS LIAISON: Sterling Eckert, PT, DPT

BF SIG News

Open access documents available from Balance and Falls SIG Tri-Alliance Campaign

September 23, 2022

The APTA Geriatrics BF SIG is proud to announce that we have created a collaborative document sharing all our open access resources to help you better provide balance and falls prevention services in the community, clinic, and beyond. Please feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested.

Access the Tri-alliance Campaign

 

2022 Fall Prevention Awareness Day Kick Off Call Information

July 8, 2022

On June 29, 2022, the APTA Geriatrics BF SIG had their Annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day Kick Off Call to assist members in beginning to brainstorm and plan their events and efforts for the week of September 18-24. Our Clinical Liaison, Tammy McHugh, served as the creator and master of ceremonies for the event. We were honored to host the following guest speakers for the evening:

  • Cathy Ciolek, APTA Geriatrics President
  • Governors State University DPT Student Speaker Miguel Musngi with Student Panel Members TaShea’ Moore, Daniel Kusper, and Andres Garcia
  • Deb Espy, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy BF SIG Chair
  • Eric Galvez, APTA Oncology BF SIG Membership Chair
  • David Taylor, APTA Geriatrics House of Delegates Representative
  • Tammy McHugh, APTA Geriatrics BF SIG Community Outreach Liaison

Top resources that were shared during the call included:

A big thank you to all our speakers and to all those who attended! Did you miss the call? Listen to the call recording here or peruse through the call powerpoint.

Balance and Falls SIG Member Resources

Outcome Measure Toolkit for Geriatric Fall/Balance Assessment

The Balance and Falls Special Interest Group of the APTA Geriatrics developed this toolkit as an updated summary of current outcome measures related to balance and fall risk assessment. It is available, OPEN ACCESS here:

Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Professional & Community Engagement, 2nd Edition

The Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit developed by the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group of the APTA Geriatrics is available, OPEN ACCESS below.

The resources provided within the toolkit are designed to assist clinicians and students in creating and/or improving their community-based falls prevention events by utilizing current evidence and a wide-variety of quality resources.

The Monthly Challenge

Every month, as part of an optional mailing list, we send out an email with a quick summary of a topic related to balance and falls management in older adults. Emails are sent out on the first of each month, and those that join the mailing list are able to access the last 2 years of materials as well. If you wish to join and get this information sent directly to your inbox each month for you to use same day, email us at agptbalanceandfallssig@gmail.com .

Video: Working on Balance and Fall Prevention at Home. Developed by the NSGA/APTA Geriatrics Task Force

How to conduct virtual fall prevention

by Jennifer Nash, APTA-Geri State Advocate for Nevada Click here to Download

From the 2020 BFSIG Falls Prevention Awareness Week Brainstorming Webinar and Guest Presentation on Virtual Balance Assessment from Winston-Salem State University, July 28, 2020

Links of Interest