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SAFE: Central Valley Coalition

What We Offer

Balance Screenings for Older Adults

Terrio Screening PictureThe screenings for Fall 2019 will take place on September 24 and November 7, by appointment only. You will be given multiple assessments to determine your strength, balance, and ultimately your risk for falling.  A licensed physical therapist and nurse practitioner will be present for all testing. 

Assessments take approximately 1 hour.  At the end of the screening, all participants will receive education materials and some type of SAFE Aging Intervention (described in detail below).  In 6 months, you will be screened again to determine if the intervention led to an increase in your strength and balance.

Please download this flier to distribute to community groups regarding our balance screenings for older adults. 

  • Donations Appreciated

How to Sign Up for a Balance Screening

If you are interested in signing up for a Balance Screening, please contact SAFE at (559) 278-7539.

Please download a Physician's Clearance Form from the link below and have a Doctor sign it and fax to (559) 278-3635.  You can also bring the signed form to the screening, but we need it in order to screen you. 

Possible SAFE Aging Recommendations from Participation at a Balance Screening

**Not currently offered at this time**

This is a group structured class that meets 2x/week for a 1-hour class.  The program was designed by Dr. Debra Rose (Center for Successful Aging at California State University, Fullerton) who has over 20 years of experience working with older adults with balance-related impairments. 

During the class, participants receive individualized balance training according to the documented impairments obtained from the assessments.  Equipment used will be similar to that of a traditional physical therapy clinic such as, but not limited to the following: foam rolls, rocker-boards, balance beams, Swiss balls, air-ex pads, and dyna-discs.  History of FallProof™ here. 

Based on the findings from the fall prevention screening, individualized home exercise programs will be developed, distributed and reviewed with the client. Supplies will be provided when applicable.

Various senior sites in the surrounding areas are currently offering community group balance classes.  These have been reviewed to determine eligibility criteria and when appropriate participants may be given a list of these classes to contact. 

Based on the findings from the fall prevention screening, nursing students will contact interested older adults to perform individualized home safety checks in their residences.  Follow-up visits can be scheduled for continued evaluation.

This is an 8-week program (2x/week for 1-hour sessions) offered during the academic year at California State University, Fresno.  The program is overseen by faculty members from the Physical Therapy Department and clinicians from the community.  Graduate Physical Therapy students and faculty discuss each client’s impairments and develop an individualized treatment plan that is carried out by the student.  

SAFE Aging Informational Presentations by the SAFE Speakers Bureau

  • Donations Appreciated

We provide 30 minute presentations including education materials for community, senior, or medical professional groups.

Contact us for more information about how to individualize your presentation and/or training for your group (minimum 25 people) about fall prevention risk factors, home safety, local resources and the predictable and preventable nature of falls.

education presentations

If you are interested in setting up a SAFE Aging education presentation, please contact SAFE at (559) 278-7539

Please download, fill out and fax (559) 278-3635 a presentation request form at the link below. 

SAFE Education Presentation Request Form

SAFE Mini-Balance Screening Training

We provide mini-balance screening training to individuals and groups that work with older adults. The training includes competency testing in the 8 Foot Up and Go and the 30 Second Chair Stand.  We offer this training for SAFE members who would like to help at health fairs, FallProof classes, and Balance Screenings as well as senior service providers, health professionals, and community members who would like to perform mini-balance screenings on older adults at their facilities or in the community.  At the end of the 3 hour training you will be tested in your competency to perform these tests and your knowledge in fall risk factors and given a certificate when you pass.

If you are interested in signing up for SAFE Mini-Balance Screening Training for you or your staff, please contact SAFE at (559) 278-7539

For More Information

Contact the Department of Physical Therapy

Phone: (559) 278-7539