Balance Program For Seniors Coming To Huntington Senior Center

HUNTINGTON, NY — A seminar on improving balance for seniors and preventing dangerous — sometimes fatal — falls is coming to the Town of Huntington Senior Center on Friday, according to a news release.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the senior center, inside the Cinema Arts Center, at 423 Park Ave., Huntington.

Physical therapist Ken Shah from Excel Rehabilitation and Nursing in Woodbury will lead a balance enhancement program for 40 to 50 seniors from the Town of Huntington’s Senior Citizens Center. This program builds a senior’s strength and endurance, giving them confidence to live independently and limit concerns about falling. The program includes a variety of exercises for seniors of all fitness levels.

More than 400 Huntington Seniors Center members have taken the program.

One in every four seniors will fall, making falling a major public health concern for the nation’s aging population, according to the release. Even a seemingly small fall can cause injury, and in the long term, can be deadly. With the 36 million falls reported each year, approximately 32,000 resulted in death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The balance class features exercises including TheraBand, jumping jacks, squats, and other bodyweight resistant exercises.