People with Parkinson's are at high risk of falling due to problems with balance, rigidity, and slowness of movement -- the primary motor symptoms of PD.
Many fall prevention programs are at hospitals or senior centers. If you don't see a fall prevention program near you in the list below, please contact a local hospital or senior center. Also check out our list of PD-specific exercise classes in the Bay Area.
Belmont - A Matter of Balance
Twin Pines Senior Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane
Contact: Cheri Handley, recreation supervisor, Twin Pines Senior Center, 650-595-7445
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through collaborative effort of Stanford Health Care and Sequoia Hospital
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Burlingame - A Matter of Balance
Mills Peninsula Health Services, 1051 Trousdale
Contact: Mills Peninsula Health Services, 650-696-4310. Advance registration required.
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Pre-class assessment required
- Class held occasionally
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free with commitment to attend all sessions
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Contra Costa County - Fall Prevention Program
In-home
Contact: MOW SOS, 925-937-8311
Notes:
- Free home assessment and home modifications to prevent falls and increase safety
- Fall prevention checklist and resource guide
In home
Los Altos - A Matter of Balance
Los Altos Senior Center, 97 Hillview Ave.
Contact: Los Altos Senior Center, 650-947-2894
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through Stanford Health Care Trauma Service
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Menlo Park - A Matter of Balance
Little House, 800 Middle Ave.
Contact: Little House, 650-326-2025
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through collaborative effort of Stanford Health Care and Sequoia Hospital
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Menlo Park - A Matter of Balance
Menlo Park Senior Center
Contact: Menlo Park Senior Center, 650-330-2280
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through collaborative effort of Stanford Health Care and Sequoia Hospital
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Mountain View - A Matter of Balance
El Camino YMCA, 2400 Grant Rd.
Contact: El Camino YMCA, 650-969-9622
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through Stanford Health Care Trauma Service
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Mountain View - A Matter of Balance
Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave.
Contact: Tyler Phillips, recreation coordinator, Mountain View Senior Center, 650-903-6442. Register at senior center front desk.
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through Stanford Health Care Trauma Service
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Napa County - Stop Falls Napa County
Various locations throughout county
Contact: Napa County, 707-255-5328
Notes:
- Coordinates balance screening, home safety inspections, and referrals to exercise programs
Fees based on ability to pay
Oakland - Fall Risk Screening
Alta Bates Summit Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy Clinic, 5700 Telegraph Ave.
Contact: Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy Clinic, Reservations 510-204-1788 (option 2). Information, 510-204-1756
Notes:
- Assess risk of falling, learn exercises, receive recommendations for further actions, and identify other resources.
- Free
1-hour screening offered Thursdays only, 1:45pm or 2:15pm
Oakland - Balance Class
Alta Bates Summit Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy Clinic, 5700 Telegraph Ave.
Contact: Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy Clinic, Information 510-204-1756
Notes:
- Drop in -- no need to RSVP
- Learn or practice exercises to improve or maintain balance
- $80 for 10 sessions, or $10/class
Wednesdays 1:30-2:30pm
Oakland - Better Balance & Pilates Class
Kaiser, 3900 Broadway, Bldg A, Room 212
Contact: Pre-register with Kaiser Behavioral Education, Paul or Linda, 510-752-7868. Pre-registration required. Information: Ernie Adams, GCFP, instructor, 510-619-9223.
Notes:
- 1 hour/week for 8 weeks, limited to 4-10 participants. One hour private session to be scheduled.
- Develop skills to improve balance, prevent falls, and learn to fall in "softer" way.
- $55 Kaiser members or $80 non-members
Wednesdays 11:15am-12:15pm
Palo Alto - A Matter of Balance
Palo Alto Family YMCA, 3412 Ross Rd.
Contact: Palo Alto Family Y, 650-856-9622
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through Stanford Health Care Trauma Service
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Redwood City - A Matter of Balance
Sequoia Hospital Health & Wellness Center, 749 Brewster Ave.
Contact: Leticia Rolon, Sequoia Health & Wellness Center, 650-367-5998
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through collaborative effort of Stanford Health Care and Sequoia Hospital
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
San Carlos - A Matter of Balance
San Carlos Community Center, 601 Chestnut St.
Contact: San Carlos Community Center, 650-802-4384
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. View falls as controllable. Make changes to reduce fall risk at home. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through collaborative effort of Stanford Health Care and Sequoia Hospital
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
San Francisco - "Always Active" Fall Prevention Class
Locations throughout San Francisco
Contact: Luz Villanueva, 415-550-2265 or Sue Mittelman, 415-923-4482
Notes:
- Exercise to improve balance and strength, and to lower risk of falls
- Must be at least 65 years old and must be able to walk at least 30 feet without a wheeled walker
- Classes held three times each year
1 hour, twice weekly for 12 weeks
San Francisco - Maintain Your Balance Lecture
California Pacific Medical Center, Davies Campus, Level B Auditorium
Contact: Michelle Spicher, DPT, CPMC Physical Therapy Dept.
Notes:
- Online registration
- Suggested $10 donation
- Offered annually (usually September)
2-hour interactive workshop led by physical therapist
San Jose - A Matter of Balance
Eastside Neighborhood Center, 2150 Alum Rock Ave.
Contact: Milton Cadena, Eastside Neighborhood Center - Catholic Charities, 408-251-0215
Notes:
- 16 classes
- Emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Learn to change environment to reduce fall risk. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
Class held occasionally
San Jose - Matter of Balance Program
Portuguese Center, 1115 E. Santa Clara St.
Contact: Mary Sousa, 408-293-0877
Notes:
- How to maintain balance, prevent falls, and improve health and security
- Pre-registration required
Wednesdays, 1-3pm
San Jose - Matter of Balance Class
Yu-Ai Kai Japanese American Community Senior Service, 588 N. Fourth St.
Contact: Julie, 408-294-2505 ext. 12
Notes:
- Emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Learn to change environment to reduce fall risk. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class held occasionally
- $20. Scholarships available.
2 hours/week for 4 weeks
Sonoma County - Fall Prevention Program
Various locations throughout Sonoma County
Contact: Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, 800-510-2020
Notes:
- Matter of Balance classes offered
Suggested fee is $20/class
Stanford area - San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties - Farewell to Falls
In your home
Contact: Ellen Corman, Stanford University Hospital & Clinics Farewell to Falls, 650-724-9369
Notes:
- Age 65+ years
- Requires willingness to follow 30-minute exercise regimen
- Must live in independent living situation
- Free
2 home visits by an OT for assessment, medication review, home safety survey, fall reduction suggestions and exercise demonstration
Sunnyvale - A Matter of Balance
Sunnyvale Senior Center, 500 E. Remington Dr.
Contact: Gerard Manuel, 408-730-7365
Notes:
- Emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Learn to change environment to reduce fall risk. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally through Stanford Health Care Trauma Service
- Free
Twice weekly for 4 weeks
Sunnyvale - Gait & Balance Classes
The Parkinson's Institute, 675 Almanor Ave.
Contact: Gloria, The Parkinson's Institute, 408-734-2800
Notes:
- Intermediate class: Wednesdays noon- 1pm; for those who need assistance to stand or walk
- Intensive class: Wednesdays 10:30am-noon; for those not requiring assistance
- 90-min exercise with trainer Jennifer Larsen
- $12/class or 10-class pass for $100. Cash or check accepted.
Beginner class: Thursdays 10:30am-noon; for those who need assistance to stand or walk
Ceres - A Matter of Balance
Ceres Community Center, 2791 4th St.
Contact: Kim Viviano, master trainer, Healthy Aging Association, 209-523-2800
Notes:
- Emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Learn to change environment to reduce fall risk. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally
- Free
Two hours/week for 8 weeks
Davis - Gaining Balance Workshops
Davis Senior Center, 646 A St.
Contact: Lisa DeAmicis, Davis Senior Center, 530-757-5696
Notes:
- Workshops offered quarterly
- $40 for residents, $44 non-residents
One hour/week for 4 weeks
Davis - Balance Assessment
Davis Senior Center, 646 A St.
Contact: Reservations and Information, 530-757-5696
Offered every September and October
Merced County - Fall Prevention Program
Living Well Cafe locations in Dos Palos, Los Banos, Merced, and Planada
Contact: Merced County Human Services Area Agency on Aging, 209-385-7550
Notes:
- Free
Classes held occasionally
Modesto - A Matter of Balance
Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I St.
Contact: Kim Viviano, master trainer, Healthy Aging Association, 209-523-2800
Notes:
- Emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Learn to change environment to reduce fall risk. Exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Class offered occasionally
- Free
Two hours/week for 8 weeks
