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, 650-595-7444
Contact: Corrie Fuhrman, recreation supervisor, Twin Pines Senior Center, 650-595-7445
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and 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
Contra Costa County - Fall Prevention Program
In-home
Contact: Diablo Region Meals on Wheels, 925-937-831, and ask for the Fall Prevention Program.
Notes:
- Free home assessment and home modifications to prevent falls and increase safety
- A Matter of Balance fall prevention classes, offered periodically (in-person and virtually)
In home
Cupertino - A Matter of Balance
Cupertino Senior Center, 21251 Steven's Creek Blvd.
Contact: Cupertino Senior Center, 408-777-3380
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Offered periodically, in-person
- Free to seniors over age 60
- Class is limited to 12 participants
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Menlo Park - A Matter of Balance and Stepping On
Little House, 800 Middle Ave.
Contact: Little House, 650-326-2025
Notes:
- A Matter of Balance is designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Stepping On covers a range of issues, including falls and risk, strength and balance exercises, home hazards, safe footwear, vision and falls, safety in public places, community mobility, coping after a fall, and understanding how to initiate a medication review.
- Classes are offered occasionally through a collaborative effort with Stanford Health Care
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
2 hours/week for 7-8 weeks
Menlo Park - Strong for Life
Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St. - Sequoia Room
Contact: Menlo Park Senior Center, 650-330-2280
Notes:
- An exercise program designed to improve strength, function and balance in older adults with or without limitations by targeting specific muscles that are important in every day life such as getting out of a chair, walking, and picking up a grandchild.
- Open to seniors 62 years+
- Free. Donations requested
- 12 week sessions, registration required
- Offered through collaboration with Stanford Hospital
Fridays 10-11am
Mountain View - A Matter of Balance and Strong for Life
Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave.
Contact: Anthony Cukar, recreation coordinator, Mountain View Senior Center, 650-903-6442. Register at senior center front desk.
Notes:
- A Matter of Balance is designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
- Strong for Life is an exercise program designed to improve strength, function and balance in older adults with or without limitations by targeting specific muscles that are important in every day life such as getting out of a chair, walking, and picking up a grandchild.
- Classes are offered through Stanford Health Care
- Open to seniors 60 years+
- Free
A Matter of Balance
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Strong for Life
Every Tuesday
Napa County - Stop Falls Prevention Program
in home
Contact: Share the Care Napa Valley, 707-492-3198
Notes:
- Provides screening, home safety assessments by a licensed occupational therapist, and home modifications as well as assistive device installation by a contractor at no charge to adults age 60 and older.
In home
Oakland - Fall Prevention Class
Virtual class with a live instructor via Zoom
Contact: Oakland Health Education Dept., 510-752-6150 ext. 1
Notes:
- Participants will learn the causes of falls, home safety tips, and exercises to improve balance and coordination.
- Two hours with an instructor, online via Zoom
- Free to Kaiser members and non-members over age 15
2 hours
Petaluma - Fall Prevention Program
Petaluma Health Center, 1179 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94954
Contact: Petaluma Health Center, 707-559-7500 (Mon-Fri, 7am-8pm)
Notes:
- A Matter of Balance emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Learn change to the environment to reduce fall risk and exercises to increase strength and balance.
- Occasionally offered in Spanish
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Redwood City - A Matter of Balance
Sequoia Hospital Health & Wellness Center, 749 Brewster Ave.
Contact: Sequoia Health & Wellness Center, Janel Jurosky, 650-367-5101
Notes:
- Designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
- 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
Classes are offered both virtually and in-person at multiple locations
Contact: Luz Vilanueva, 415-550-2265, or Diana Lara, 415-550-2209
Notes:
- Multicomponent group exercise classes incorporates: aerobics, balance, flexibility, and strength using hand weights, resistance bands, and other props such as ladders, color dots and balls to improve coordination, power, and balance
- Classes are led by trained, certified professionals
- Free to seniors over age 60 ($25 annual donation suggested)
- Promotional video
1 hour offered several times weekly
San Francisco - Fall Prevention Class
Both in-person and virtual class options
Contact: Christian J. Thompson, PhD
Notes:
- Exercises focus on lower extremity strength, standing static and dynamic balance and gait enhancement
- Must pass an in-person screening prior to enrollment in the Fall Prevention program (to ensure safety and appropriateness)
- 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 change to the environment to reduce fall risk and exercises to increase strength and balance.
Class held occasionally
Sonoma County - Fall Prevention Program
Various locations throughout Sonoma County
Contact: Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, mob@schsd.org, 707-565-5936
Notes:
- A Matter of Balance emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Learn change to the environment to reduce fall risk and exercises to increase strength and balance.
- Occasionally offered in Spanish
2 hours/week for 8 weeks
Stanford area - San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties - Farewell to Falls
In your home
Contact: Bobby Moser, Stanford University Hospital & Clinics Farewell to Falls, 650-724-9369
Notes:
- Age 65+ years
- Requires willingness to follow an ongoing exercise regimen
- Must live in an 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
