The Nazareth Center for Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation and Balance recently conducted a review of patients who completed its Balance Program during its first year of operation. The program is designed for people with an increased risk of falls, namely older adults. According to Director Stuart A. Scherr, M.D., those completing the program rated their overall balance improvement at an average of 70 percent, while 50 percent of participants were able to walk freely without an assistive device after treatment.

It is estimated that in the United States one third of seniors over the age of 65 and half of seniors over the age of 80 will fall each year, according to the National Council on Aging. Older adults are at greater risk of falling because they typically lose balance as a result of losing muscular strength, flexibility and reaction time.

“Our goal is to reduce the risk of falling so that people can walk without fear,” expresses Dr. Scherr. “Balance is a complex coordination of many systems in the body. By understanding which systems are impaired, we can design strategies to maintain proper balance and minimize the risk of falling.”

Location: 8131 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia. For more information, call 215-335-3954.