Eileen Fregoe, MMH director of physical therapy and rehab services, demonstrates the fall risk assessment equipment.

MASSENA -- Falls are the number one cause of injury in people over 65, according to Massena Memorial Hopsital. MMH’s Physical Therapy Department says they take fall prevention seriously, and wants to help reduce the number of falls patients and community members sustain.

Physical therapy offers fall risk screenings and comprehensive fall risk assessments, along with straightforward intervention programs which include exercise therapy and patient education. This combination has been proven to reduce the occurrence of accidental falls in seniors, according to a press release from the hospital.

The screenings are performed at health fairs, senior centers etc., and in a physician’s office upon request. Director of Physical Therapy and Rehab Services Eileen Fregoe explained the screening takes only a few minutes and is non-intimidating, non-invasive and may identify potential problems which can be prevented with proper physical therapy interventions.

The screening is done with the PT Department’s balance equipment. The screening can be used for fall risk assessments, balance, concussion testing and orthopedic knee patients. Fregoe said it is also used for therapy modules depending on the results of the screening.

More comprehensive assessments can be scheduled at the hospital, employing a computer analyzed assessment of not only lower body function but upper body postural control to identify specific areas of concern.

Treatments and follow up assessments utilize the same piece of equipment.

Concussion management is another screening that can be used for athletes. Fregoe explained an initial assessment would be done on the athlete prior to the season to help determine a baseline, then can be used in concern of a concussion and when to return to the game.

MMH Physical Therapy Department is the only PT in the North Country offering this screening for all ages, MMH said. The department was able to purchase the equilibrate with proceeds from the MMH Foundation Radiothon last year.