Gifford Offers Free Fall Risk Screenings

Randolph — Gifford Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Team is offering fall risk assessment screenings at the Kingwood Health Center in Randolph. The free screenings are most beneficial for older patients and involve simple, functional movements to determine a person’s safety level.

“These screenings help families determine if an elderly family member needs assistance at home in order to remain safe,” Troy Stratton, Gifford’s rehabilitation manager, said in a news release. “The goal of the assessment is to establish the potential risks for falls and figure out a person’s next steps.”

Those steps may include coaching a patient to identify their risks for falls, offering recommendations on the use of an assistive device such as cane or walker, making referrals to a primary care provider for follow-up care, or scheduling physical therapy appointments.

During the screenings, patients will be asked to perform actions such as walking, turning, reaching and bending to pick items up off the floor. Each screening will last roughly 30 minutes, which includes the actual assessment period as well as time for a review of the therapist’s findings.

The screenings are available to anyone, not just Gifford patients. To schedule an appointment, call 802-728-7711. Appointments are available Monday, May 21, from 4-6 p.m.; Thursday, May 24, from 8-10 a.m.; Thursday, May 31, from 8-10 a.m.; and Monday, June 4, from 4-6 p.m.