Celeste Carlucci & Julie Kardachi, MA, OTR/L

About

Julie Kardachi, M.A., has been an occupational therapist for more than 30 years and has worked in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia with adults of all ages in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals, with a focus on neurological and orthopedic injuries. For the past 11 years, she has been on the faculty of the occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs at Touro College in New York City. She is particularly interested in helping people remain as independent as possible so they can continue to pursue their interests.

Celeste Carlucci is a fitness expert and former dancer who received her dance training at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. She has performed nationally and internationally as a dancer with many notable choreographers, among them Bob Fosse. For more than 30 years, she has taught movement and full-body strengthening, with a primary emphasis on senior fitness. Her background in dance equips her to focus on correct alignment and posture. Her mission is to give seniors the strength and confidence to stay active in their lives and communities.

The 20-year friendship between Julie and Celeste culminates in their mutual passion for helping older adults enjoy their lives to the fullest. While running a senior wellness program, Celeste found that many participants were in desperate need of not only an exercise program but an educational program as well. Julie, an occupational therapist, was teaching gerontology at the time and often consulted and gave tips to Celeste's students. It became clear that, as a duo, they needed to design a unique fall prevention program. Now they run their program in New York City (Mt. Sinai Hospital, the JCC Manhattan, and other community centers) and nationally and internationally via their DVD. Celeste's and Julie's commitment to bringing joy and wellness to older adults is the mission of the Fall Stop...MOVE STRONG program. More information and their DVD are available at www.fallstop.net or on Amazon.

Links

Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Tuesday November 15, 2011

    1. What is causing my husband to shuffle when he walks?  

      Answer - In our classes, this is a very common question and concern, especially because being a "shuffler" puts you at greater risk for falls.

  2. Friday November 11, 2011

    1. Why is a fall so dangerous and what can be done to prevent falls?

      Answer - Falls represent a hidden public health crisis. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury death among older adults. One third of adults over the age of 65 fall each year, and one third of those have injuries that reduce independence...

  3. Saturday October 29, 2011

    1. Is there something to help my wife who gets dizzy in the...

      Answer - Most people don’t understand why they fall when they get out of bed, and it is often due to their blood pressure being too low for a standing position. When someone moves from lying down to upright, his or her blood pressure can take a few seconds to adjust to the position change, causing dizzinessss...

  4. Tuesday October 25, 2011

    1. What exercise moves should every senior do each day without fail?

      Answer - There are many exercises that will help keep people “on their feet”. We like these five for every day; they are easy to do and easy to remember.

  5. Sunday October 23, 2011

    1. What are your top five tips for preventing falls in the home?

      Answer - Here are our top 5 tips for preventing falls in the home:

  6. Thursday July 14, 2011

    1. If someone can't do vigorous exercise, is gentle exercise still beneficial?

      Answer - The answer to question 1 is “Yes, definitely!” The benefits of exercise and its direct relationship to well-being and overall health are well documented and include:

    2. What weight bearing exercises are good for osteoporosis?

      Answer - Any exercise that uses extra weight, or where your feet are in contact with the ground helps build bones. Walking, marching, and other such exercises are good weight bearing exercises. Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

    3. Is there a device to deal with falls?

      Answer - There is a method to help people get up from the floor, and your mother and father may be able to use this method to help them. Your mother clearly cannot lift your father from the floor, because of their weight difference, but even lifting someone much lighter can result in injury to one party or both...

    4. How do I regain my balance after a stroke?

      Answer - Your vomiting and dizziness symptoms concern us. We recommend you consult a professional to double-check your balance, and arrange for vision and inner ear evaluations. Perhaps the consultation and evaluations may offer an explanation.