Balance and Mobility Certificate

Welcome to the Center for Successful Aging

The Balance and Mobility Specialist Instructor Certificate Program is designed to provide physical activity instructors and health care professionals with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to develop and implement balance and mobility training programs for older adults at moderate-to-high risk for falls in community settings. Balance and mobility disorders, resulting in falls among the elderly population, pose a serious public health problem in the United States. This fact, coupled with the knowledge that adults over the age of 65 years represent the fastest growing population in the United States, suggests an immediate need for activity programs specifically designed to reduce physical frailty and the rising incidence of falls among the older adult population. The balance and mobility specialist instructor program was developed in response to this need.

First-Of-Its-Kind Certification

The Balance & Mobility Specialist Instructor and Peer Mentor Program is the first program of its kind to be offered in the U.S. The content of the program is based on sound theoretical evidence and will prepare the instructor to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of balance and gait and also teach each of the components associated with the FallProof™ Balance and Mobility program. The efficacy of this program has been established and replicated in multiple community-based settings with certified Fallproof™ instructors. In addition to lowering the risk for falls as a result of improved balance and gait, older adults who complete the program demonstrate reduced fear-of-falling and higher physical activity levels. This innovative program currently operates in numerous community-based Senior Centers and Residential Care facilities throughout Southern California as well as other states across America. The primary goal of the Balance and Mobility Instructor Certification Program is to provide eligible professionals with the specialized knowledge and practical skills that will prepare them to develop and implement effective and safe balance and mobility programs within their immediate community. A unique feature of the program is the Peer Mentor Certification that is also available to eligible older adults who complete all program requirements.

Program Fees

Level 1 Only: $250.00 (on-line course only)

Level 1 and 2: $400.00 (participation in a three-day on-site practical competency exam is required for full certification).

If you haven’t done so, please forward the course fees to the address listed below as soon as possible. A password to enter the course site will be issued upon receipt of payment

Make Checks Payable to: CSUF Cashiers

Mailing Address:

FallProof™ Balance & Mobility Instructor Certification Program
Center for Successful Aging
800 N. State College Blvd., KHS-241
Fullerton, CA 92831-3599

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the program will complete the didactic portion of the course via the internet. Nine learning modules are presented that include video or audio-based lectures and learning laboratories, PowerPoint slides, Test-Your Understanding assignments, Case Studies, and module exams. Students who wish to take the course to be "certified" will be required to attend the final three-day practical competency exam at one of two sites: CSU, Fullerton in January or July OR Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

To be eligible for the program, all potential applicants must have completed a B.S. degree in Kinesiology or related area (e.g., Physical Education, Physical/Occupational Therapy) and have two years of practical experience working in a leadership role with older adults in physical activity/rehabilitation settings. Adults applying to the Peer Mentor Certification program must demonstrate good leadership skills and be physically able to assist program instructors.

Summary

Both the on-line and practical competency portions of the course must be successfully completed in order to obtain Certification. Renewal of certification will be required every two years following completion of the first certification program. In order to retain active certification, instructors will be required to provide documentation that demonstrates they have been regularly engaged in teaching balance and mobility programs and attending related continuing education courses.