Salisbury, MD – Are you age 60+ and are concerned about falling?
MAC is seeking participants for a falls home-based study. You may qualify for the study if you:
- Live in Wicomico, Worcester or Somerset County
- Use a walker or wheelchair, or lack reliable transportation.
MAC was recently awarded grant funds from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) through a project called the 2025 ACL Innovation Lab to create our own unique Falls Prevention Program. This new in-home program will combine home safety, balance and strengthening exercise, and education around preventing falls. This program is FREE to all participants who qualify.
First, you’ll be checked to see if you qualify for the program and if MAC can offer you any helpful services. Then, a pharmacist will visit your home to review your medications, since some medicines can increase the risk of falling.
Next, a physical therapist will come to your home to check how safe it is and test your balance. These tests will help her track your progress. She’ll then create a personalized exercise plan to help you get stronger and improve your balance to prevent falls.
After that, an exercise specialist will visit your home to help you follow the exercise plan.
The physical therapist will check your progress again at 60 days and 120 days by repeating the same balance tests from her first visit.
This grant is a part of a research study, to determine which elements of various existing evidence-based fall prevention programs are the most effective. MAC is one of 17 other organizations testing out various falls prevention programs in this study.
In total, the program will include one pharmacist visit, four physical therapist visits, and eight exercise specialist visits over a period of four months. Most visits will occur in the first two months.
Those interested in participating in the study should contact Nancy Hedlesky at nhedlesky@macinc.org or 410-742-0505 ext. 131.
MAC is a member agency of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore.
