4th Annual Fall Prevention Summit

2012 Summit to raise awareness of community based fall prevention programs

The Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition (NVFPC) will hold the 4^th Annual Fall Prevention Summit, in the main conference room at Inova Loudoun Hospital on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. This year’s summit will focus on the NVFPC’s mission to provide every Virginian with the opportunity to learn about proven fall prevention interventions and participate in fall risk screenings in their community. The NVFPC will conduct a series of informational sessions for Healthcare Professionals on the development and implementation of our own complete fall risk assessment program that has already been put into action at senior centers in Loudoun and Prince William Counties, and can be duplicated in any community. This program provides participants with a personalized evaluation of their risk for a fall, at no cost to them. The NVFPC Community Assessment Team will give presentations throughout the day on the key components of the assessment process including exercise programs, vision screenings, medication reviews, home safety assessments, and the follow-up process. NVFPC members and supporters have stepped up to provide these crucial services by donating their valuable time, resources, and varied expertise, at a time when the government is cutting back on services. Seating is limited. For more information or to register for this event visit our website at www.nvfpc.org. Special guest speakers are:

Dr. John H. Cook III, MD

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care, and Geriatrics.

Dr. Cook is currently practicing at Loudoun Internal Medicine in Leesburg and the MD VIP group. This is his second turn as a speaker at a NVFPC event. Dr. Cook’s presentation on how the body changes in feeling perception as we age was a highlight for attendees at the 2010 Fall Prevention Summit. He is a great supporter of the NVFPC and we are so pleased he will be joining us again for this event.    

Dr. Thurman E. Lockhart, Ph. D

Director of the Locomotion Research Laboratory at Virginia Tech

Dr. Lockhart is a leading researcher in the prevention of age-related falls. He will speak on his ongoing work at the Locomotion Research Laboratory where he and his team are studying the relationship between gait, mobility and falls in older adults. Dr. Lockhart’s team of grad students have participated at NVFPC Fall Risk Assessments in Loudoun and Prince William County. He will talk about this important partnership and give preliminary results to the group.    

About the Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition (NVFPC):

Since forming in 2008, the NVFPC has led the charge in fall prevention education and awareness by offering free informational seminars and distributing thousands of pieces of fall prevention literature, including our annual Handbook & Directory, across Northern Virginia. Last year, the NVFPC developed a standardized fall risk assessment program that was implemented at senior centers in Loudoun and Prince William counties. This community based program provides participants with a personalized evaluation of their risk for a fall, at no cost to them. Our goal is to have this program duplicated in senior centers throughout Virginia. We want a society where older adults can live safe, healthy and independent lives. The Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition (NVFPC) is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization.