Helen Hayes Hospital Osteoporosis Club Presents Special Discussion: Cognition and Fall Risk

February 8, 2018

February 22, 2018

West Haverstraw, NY – The Osteoporosis Club led by the New York State Osteoporosis Prevention Education Program (NYSOPEP) at Helen Hayes Hospital will present a special discussion on “Cognition” during the support group’s monthly meeting on Thursday, February 22nd at 10am. Guest speaker and Helen Hayes Hospital Speech Language Pathologist Lisa Modell, MS/CCC-SLP will examine the link between cognition and fall risk, as well as present options for improving cognitive function with the goal of reducing the incidence of fall injuries.

One in four Americans over the age of 65 falls each year, with falls being the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. While gait, balance, muscular, and other motor impairments are thought to be among the primary causes for these injuries, research has suggested that a decline in cognitive function often works together with motor functions to increase the risk of falls.

Osteoporosis Club attendees will learn the role that healthy cognition plays in preventing falls and how therapists—including Physical, Occupational, and Speech Language Therapists—work together to diagnose and treat cognitive impairment. Drawing on her expertise in Speech Language Pathology in a physical rehabilitation setting, guest speaker Lisa Modell will also discuss a variety of methods that are used to treat cognitive impairment and how those treatments can help reduce the risk of falls when used as a part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.

The Osteoporosis Club meets the 4th Thursday of each month from 10-11am in Helen Hayes Hospital’s Noyes Conference Room. Meetings feature guest speakers and professionals from NYSOPEP who present valuable info about bone health, including nutritional guideline, medication, research, and more. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, please call 845-786-4772.