Falls Programs

FREE Falls Prevention Programs


Stony Brook Trauma Center, in collaboration with community organizations, offers evidence-based fall prevention programs throughout Suffolk County and on Zoom. Visit our FallsFree Long Island website to learn more about programs, our partners, and how to get invovled. 

Need help joining Zoom? English instructions / Spanish instructions

Our Programs

We also encorage you to visit SeniorPlanet.org from AARP to find free technology classes, exercise programs, and discussion groups.


Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention:

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is a falls prevention program that uses the principles and movements of Tai Chi to help senior citizens improve their balance and increase their confidence in doing everyday activities.

This evidence- based program is proven to reduce falls and improve fitness and is designed for older adults who are interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength. More detailed program information can be found here.

Classes are led by a trained/certified instructor; twice a week for 60 minutes for 10 weeks. 

Tai Chi is not just good for balance; take a look at the National Institute for Health's Summary of Tai Chi Health Benefits

There are 3 Levels of the program offered,                              each level is a 10-week workshop.  

  • Level 1: Movements 1-12 (For Beginners)
  • Level 2: Movements 13-21
  • Full Form Practice 

Participants will learn:

  • Balance Skills
  • Proper Body Alignment
  • Coordinated Tai Chi movements

Schedule- We've Gone Virtual!

*Tai Chi workshops on Zoom are open to anyone. In-person programs will be announced as they scheduled. Programs are free, but you must register in advance.

New to Zoom or want to get more out of it? Stony Brook University students are available (virtually) to explore the features of Zoom to help you get the most out of your tai chi practice.  You can also arrange a Zoom practice session to check your setup before the first day of class.  Email FallsFree@StonyBrookMedicine.edu to get connected to student support.  All support is free, no cost.

REGISTRATION is OPEN For Workshops held April 15 - June 21, 2024

2024 Workshop Series Beginning weeks of: July 15, October 14

Workshops are held twice a week for 10 weeks, all times are Eastern Time (ET)

To be added to the contact list for future workshops, please JOIN the FallsFree Long Island Contact List

Click Here for the Tai Chi Flyer

Level One 

Mondays & Thursdays 3:00pm-4:00pm ET REGISTER HERE

Wednesdays & Fridays 9:30am-10:30am ET REGISTER HERE

Please note, *you must complete Level 1 before registering for another level.*

You can register for both Level 1 sessions to mix/match days and times to fit your schedule. 

Level Two

Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00pm-4:00pm ET REGISTER HERE

Wednesdays & Fridays 10:30am-11:30am ET REGISTER HERE

*You must complete Level 1 before registering for Level 2*

Full Form Practice/Review

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 3:00pm-3:30pm

Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:00am-10:00am

Contact FallsFree@StonyBrookMedicine.edu to register

*You must complete Level 2 before registering for Full Form*


IN- PERSON TAI CHI WORKSHOPS Suffolk County, NY
Presented by; Suffolk County’s Office of Health Education
For more information on classes below, contact Linda Bohman 
(631) 853- 3187 or Linda.Bohman@Suffolkcountyny.gov 

 

BAYPORT BLUE POINT LIBRARY
186 Middle Road, Blue Point, NY 11715
Mondays 11am - 12pm    
Jan. 8,  22, 29, Feb. 5, 26, March, April 
Call: (631) 363- 6133     

SBSHH HAMPTON BAYS WELLNESS CENTER 
*Workshop is in Spanish*    
38 B Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am – 11:30am
Feb. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, March 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21,26, 28, April 2, 4, 9, 11 
Call: (631) 726- 8800    

NORTHWELL building just north of SOUTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
1933 Union Boulevard, Bay Shore, NY  11706
Tuesdays and Thursdays 4pm-5pm
April 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, May 2, 7, 9,14,16, 21, 23, 28, 30, June 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
Call: (516) 351- 4571  

*Special Event*
World Tai Chi Day on Saturday, April 27  9:45 AM

NORTHWELL building just north of SOUTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
1933 Union Boulevard, Bay Shore, NY  11706

 

 

A Matter of Balance:

Many older adults experience a fear of falling. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. It includes 8 two-hour sessions for a small group of 8-12 participants led by a trained facilitator. More detailed program information can be found here

Participants will learn to:

  • View falls as controllable
  • Set goals for increasing activity
  • Make changes to reduce fall risk at home
  • Exercise to increase strength and balance

Schedule

Workshops are currently being scheduled.  To be contacted when the next virtual program is available, please JOIN the FallsFree Long Island Contact List

Interested in being a Coach for the program? Click Here for more information. 

*Workshops on Zoom are open to anyone. In-person programs will be announced as they scheduled. Programs are free, but you must register in advance.

 

Stepping On: 

Stepping On brings together the life experience of its participants and the expertise of community professionals. From the first session, participants put new skills to use.  Group members set short term goals each week - goals that focus on life activities that are most important to them. Physical therapists, pharmacists and other experts help the group adapt fall prevention practices for individual needs and levels.  It includes 7 two-hour sessions for a small group of 10-14 participants led by a trained facilitator. More detailed program information can be found here


Participants will:

  • Practice exercises to increase strength and balance
  • Discuss topics that include home hazards, safe footwear, vision and falls, community mobility, coping after a fall, and understanding how to initiate a medication review
  • Speak with guest experts about how to reduce fall risks

Schedule:
Workshops are currently being scheduled, please JOIN the FallsFree Long Island Contact List

Participants should be able to join at least 5 of the 7 sessions. Participants must attend at least one of the September sessions.

*Workshops on Zoom are open to anyone. In-person programs will be announced as they scheduled. Programs are free, but you must register in advance.
 
Otago Exercise Program: 

Otago Exercise Program consists of 17 strength and balance exercises and a walking program, performed three times a week by the participant in the home, outpatient, or community setting. Exercises can be done individually or as part of a group workshop. The program is most effective for older adults who have fallen recently or feel unsteady when walking. A Physical Therapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT) will assess and prescribe the initial exercises, and participants will be guided through the exercises either with their PT/OT or in a group class workshop over an 8-week period.


Participants will:

  • Learn specific exercises to improve balance and strength
  • Understand how to make the exercises more challenging over time
  • Be encouraged to practice the exercises 3 times per week on their own
  • Add a walking routine when able

Physical Therapy:
One-on-One Otago is available at certified outpatient physical therapy sites with a healthcare provider's referral/prescription. Ask about adding the Otago Exercise Program to your plan of care:

  • Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Physical Therapy: (631) 726-8520
  • Stony Brook University Hospital Physical Therapy: (631) 444-4240
  • St. Joseph Hospital (Bethpage) Physical Therapy: (516) 520-2280

Otago Group Workshops
Otago can also be offered as a group workshop, meeting once a week for 8-weeks. Workshops are currently being scheduled.   To be contacted when the next program is available, please JOIN the FallsFree Long Island Contact List