Four day course at HCPA Campus
All sessions must be attended
Day 1: 10/01/2025
Day 2: 17/01/2025
Day 3: 24/01/2025
Day 4: 31/01/2025 (practical observation)
HCPA’s Strength and Balance in Care course is to ensure that you have a member of staff who is qualified to carry out strength and balance group classes within your organisation. Falls related injuries are common in older adults, can have extremely negative effects on functional independence and quality of life, and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health related costs. We must therefore follow the below guidelines to prevent falls in your service.
The World Guidelines for Falls Prevention and Management for Older Adults (2022) recommend:
Individualised supervised exercise as a falls prevention strategy for adults living in long-term care settings.
Including the promotion of physical activity (when feasible and safe) as part of a multidomain falls prevention intervention in care homes.
Exercise programmes for falls prevention for community-dwelling older adults are to include balance and functional exercises eg. sit-to-stand, stepping. This guidance is also for adults with cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment and mild to moderate dementia).
That exercise programmes be of sufficient intensity and duration and be delivered in a way that ensures safety and considers functional abilities.
Course entry criteria
Delegates must hold a Level 2 Chair-based exercise instructor qualification
Delegates need to have delivered 2 classes a week for approximately 6 months (approximately 50 hours).
Successful course completion requirements (you will be guided through these on the course!)
Planning a 15-minute practical strength and balance lesson.
Practical observation of the 15-minute practical strength and balance lesson
Learning outcomes
To understand the role of Strength & Balance exercise in the prevention of falls in older adults. Includes the impact of medication on balance, the main muscles, their actions, 1:1 Strength & Balance exercise delivery
To understand the importance of ensuring that class participation is appropriate and effective for all individuals. Includes: capacity and consent, screening, outcomes measures, SMART goal setting
To understand the structure of a Strength and Balance class. Includes: management of adverse events – including the use of the Hertfordshire Falls pathway
To be able to plan and carry out a Strength and Balance class. Includes: Microteach assessments
*Please note: As per our T&C’s, this course carries a fee in the event of non-attendance, non-completion or late cancellation.
Bookings of more than two delegates per site may be amended to allow access to all member organisations at the discretion of HCPA.
Delegates who are late may not be admitted into the training and a cost incurred
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