Greenwich, CT (October 20, 2025) – Greenwich Hospital’s Department of Physical Medicine welcomed members of the community on October 15 for a free fall-risk screening event. The event, part of the hospital’s ongoing public health outreach, offered residents practical assessments, exercise guidance and education aimed at reducing fall risk among older adults.
Physical therapists and other staff members guided participants through balance and strength assessments and demonstrated simple exercises designed to reduce fall risk. Among the key movements taught was the chair rise exercise – a functional strength activity in which participants repeatedly stand up from and sit down in a chair without using their arms. This motion helps strengthen the thighs and buttocks, improve stability, and build the muscle control needed to prevent falls in daily life.
“We were inspired to host this event because so many falls are preventable with the right knowledge and a few simple habits,” said event organizer Julie Wahnish, PT, manager of Inpatient Rehabilitation Services at Greenwich Hospital. “By helping people understand their balance, practice strengthening exercises and learn how to make their homes safer, we can empower them to stay active and independent for years to come.”
Physical therapists also took time to counsel attendees on practical strategies to help prevent falls. Below are four foundational steps developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that older adults and their caregivers can adopt to support safer ageing:
- Speak up.Let healthcare providers know about any episodes of unsteadiness, dizziness, near-falls or changes in balance. Communicating concerns early allows providers to intervene before a serious fall occurs.
- Keep moving. Exercises that challenge balance, leg strength and coordination help maintain mobility and reduce fall risk. The chair rise is one simple example, but a well-rounded exercise routine is ideal.
- Get an annual eye exam. Vision changes are common with age and often contribute to falls. Keeping prescriptions current and monitoring for cataracts, glaucoma or other eye conditions can help maintain safe navigation of one’s environment.
- Make your home safer. Removing tripping hazards (loose rugs, clutter), improving lighting, installing grab bars near bathrooms, ensuring secure handrails on stairs and reducing slippery surfaces are all effective modifications to reduce fall risk.
Greenwich Hospital’s fall-risk screening is based on the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) program endorsed by the CDC, which encourages a proactive, multifactorial approach to fall prevention.
As part of its broader mission in geriatrics and rehabilitative care, Greenwich Hospital integrates physical therapy, case management and other support services to help older adults maintain independence and safety.
For more information about fall-prevention resources, exercise programs or future community screenings, please visit Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Greenwich Hospital.
Greenwich Hospital is a member of Yale New Haven Health. Greenwich is a 206-bed (includes 32 isolettes) community hospital serving lower Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. It is a academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine. Since opening in 1903, Greenwich Hospital has evolved into a progressive medical center and teaching institution representing all medical specialties and offering a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and wellness programs. Greenwich Hospital is recognized throughout the healthcare industry as a leader in service and patient satisfaction excellence. Greenwich Hospital has the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. www.greenwichhospital.org
