Welcome to GeriBalance

A complete, step-by-step guided program developed for seniors to gain mobility through improving strength, joint range of motion and balance. This will improve the ability to get up and down and to walk, all while decreasing the risk of falling and improving their quality of life!

Join me on a journey to better balance!

Getting older does not mean accepting falls, stopping life events and living in fear...

Working with the geriatric community, that I love, for over 20 years, I am here to show you simple and easy things you can do to keep these amazing seniors safe and living life!

Melissa Harklau, MSPT, Founder

(with my favorite patient and all-time hero, my Pa Paw)

What is GeriBalance?

GeriBalance is an at-home program, designed to teach older adults and their family/caregivers, how to improve or maintain their ability to be active, to be able to move around their home and community safer and more independently, as well as improve balance and mobility while reducing risk of falls. We accomplish this through:

Professionally-designed progression of exercises
How-to on home safety
Education on fall precautions and prevention
How to safely transition positions, such as from chair and bed
Instruction for family/caregivers on how to safely assist in mobility
Special considerations for seniors with specific health issues such as mental, respiratory or heart concerns

The vast majority of my patients over the years have been more accepting of a professional approach to an exercise program, rather than a family member/caregiver telling them to do it. This, in turn, puts the ability and accountability in their hands, which significantly improves self motivation and the success rate.

This program is specifically designed so that you do not need anything else to complete these activities, and thus, get stronger and safer. All you need are things you already have in your home: a chair, a bed/recliner, a sink.

Simple, easy, effective...

Included in the program:

Tools to examine physical deficits that can lead to falls
Home Safety checklist and considerations
Fall Precaution and Prevention education for seniors and their families/caregivers
Considerations for past falls to try to prevent future falls
Instruction on how to know what exercises to start with
Downloadable progression of exercises, enabling you to start at any level - from lying in bed to standing
Videos of the exercise sets to easy to follow demonstration
Easy, step-by-step instructions on how to progress exercises and what to do next
Videos of safe transfer techniques to and from bed, to and from a chair
Balance activities that can be done to improve balance, and when that is appropriate and safe
Personal and activity safety considerations
Energy conservation techniques
Education on walking and use of assistive devices, such as canes and walkers
Ideas for home equipment/devices to assist with mobility and safety
Special considerations for those with mental, respiratory or heart concerns
Education for family and caregivers

Benefits:

Improved strength
Improved joint range of motion
Improved balance
Reduction of fall risk, which can result in devastating effects, such as hospitalization and/or death
No equipment needed, just a place to sit, a place to lay down and a sink
Downloadable, printable exercises you can take with you around your home or if you travel
Progression to independence with exercises and education on how to accomplish that
Education for family/caregivers for a cohesive approach to caring for their loved one
Improved success rate by placing the ability and accountability in their hands, thereby improving the success rate. I have personally experienced how much more accepting a professional approach to exercises is for my clients, rather than family/caregiver-initiated plans.