From Fall-Prone to Fall-Free: How One Woman Transformed Her Life with Prevention

For five years, Kathy Clark believed falling was an inevitable part of aging. Her near-weekly falls had become a painful and regular occurrence: "I was beginning to think that falling was just something that happened because of my age or health,” says Kathy.

Living alone, Kathy faced the physical and emotional toll of serious falls, resulting in broken bones and stitches. Despite receiving care at Alta View Emergency Department and Instacare, she knew she needed a more proactive solution. Encouraged by her primary care doctor, Dr. Szpunar, Kathy enrolled in an Intermountain Health fall prevention class called Stepping On.

The seven-week class proved transformative; instructors created a safe and supportive environment where Kathy learned practical techniques to avoid falls. Guest speakers from Intermountain Health included a physical therapist, pharmacist, eye disease education specialist, and helped her better understand medication safety—a critical factor in reducing fall risk. The course also included firefighters, which is also required by the evidence-based curriculum with Stepping On.

Since completing the course, Kathy has remained fall-free. She credits her newfound stability to adopting safer habits, such as wearing supportive shoes, removing loose rugs, and performing daily exercises. The course also taught her to be mindful about her pain medication, and how to schedule it to accommodate activities that might increase her risk of falling.

Reflecting on her journey, Kathy believes every senior could benefit from Stepping On. "I live in a senior community, and I see a lot of people falling. It shouldn't have to be part of getting old."

To further support seniors in maintaining their independence and safety, Intermountain Health has introduced Defying Gravity, a program focused on advanced balance techniques and strength training exercises designed to help seniors stay active and prevent falls. With expert instructors and a supportive community, Defying Gravity builds on the success of Stepping On, offering participants even more tools to live confidently and thrive.

Register for Stepping On now

Register for Defying Gravity now