Falls Programs

FREE Falls Prevention Programs


Stony Brook Trauma Center, in collaboration with community organizations, offers evidence-based fall prevention programs throughout Suffolk County. If you would like to schedule a program in your club house, library, senior center, or other community location, please email Kristi.Ladowski@StonyBrookMedicine.edu

Our Programs


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 Kristi.Ladowski@StonyBrookMedicine.edu to get connected to student support.  All support is free, no cost.

REGISTRATION is CLOSED For Workshops held Jan 23 - Mar 31, 2023

Next 2023 Workshop Series Beginning Dates: April 17, July 17, and October 9

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 CLICK HERE to Join Tai Chi Contact List.

Click Here for the Tai Chi Flyer

Level One 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00pm-3:00pm CLOSED

Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30am-10:30am CLOSED

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 and Thursdays 3:00pm-4:00pm CLOSED

Wednesdays and Fridays 10:30am-11:30am CLOSED

Wednesdays and Fridays 4:00pm-5:00pm CLOSED

*You must complete Level 1 before registering for Level 2

Full Form Practice/Review

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 3:00pm-4:00pm

Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:00am-10:00am

Contact Kristi.Ladowski@StonyBrookMedicine.edu to register

*You must complete Level 2 before registering for Full Form


IN- PERSON TAI CHI WORKSHOPS 2023
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 

 

Ronkonkoma Senior Center 
Mondays 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM   
January 9, 23, 30  Feb. 6 and 27  
299 Rosedale Ave., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 
For information: (631) 467-3324

East Islip Senior Center aka Joyce Fitzpatrick Senior Center 
Tuesdays 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM     
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31   Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28
50 Irish Lane, East Islip, New York 11730            
For information: (631) 665-1941

West Islip Senior Center 
Tuesdays 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM      
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31    Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28
90 Higbie Lane, West Islip, New York 11795         
For information: (631) 893- 8932

Riverhead Free Library 
Tuesdays AND Thursdays 2- 3 PM      
February 2 – April 27 
330 Court Street, Riverhead, New York 11901     
For information: (631) 727-3228

Central Islip Public Library 
Fridays 2-3 PM           
January 6, 13, 20, and 27
33 Hawthorne Ave., Central Islip, New York 11722    
For information: (631) 234- 9333

Northwell’s South Shore University Hospital
Tuesdays AND Thursdays 4-5 PM         
January 5 – March 23
1933 Union Blvd., Bay Shore, New York 11706      
For information: (516)351-4571 

Center Moriches Library 
Tuesdays AND Thursdays 12:30PM – 1:30 PM     
March 2 – April 27
235 Main Street, Center Moriches, New York 11934   
For information: (631) 878-0940

Central Islip Public Library 
Tuesdays AND Thursdays 4-5 PM       
May 2 – June 29
33 Hawthorne Avenue, Central Islip, New York 11722 
For information: (631) 234-9333

Wyandanch Senior Nutrition Center 
Thursdays 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
January 5 – April 27
28 Wyandanch Avenue, Wyandanch, New York  11798    
For information: (631) 491-4889

Oakdale Senior Center
Thursdays 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM       
January 5 – February 23
963 Montauk Highway, Oakdale, New York  11769        
For information: (613) 472-7023

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 CLICK HERE to Join A Matter of Balance 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.  To be contacted when the next virtual program is available, please CLICK HERE to Join Stepping On Contact List

*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.