RWJ Hamilton Opens State-of-the-Art Balance Center
Center Will Diagnose Balance Difficulties, Provide Treatment to Those Living with a Fear of Falling

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY - Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma among adults 65 years and older, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The Rehabilitation Services department of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton is reaching out to help those affected by balance disorders by opening a state-of-the-art Balance Center at the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness.

The Balance Center provides diagnostic and rehabilitation services for individuals with a history of falls, inner ear disturbance, Meniere's disease, stroke, head trauma or vestibular (inner ear) disorders. The Center is designed to treat those with a compromised sense of balance which can make simple things like walking, shopping, traveling or even socializing become difficult if not impossible.

"The service of diagnosing and treating balance difficulties fits well with all that our Rehabilitation Services department offers," says Mike Long, RWJ Hamilton's Director of Rehabilitation Services. "Our staff's core values are to restore people's highest possible function and help them return to their best quality of life."

Getting Patients Back on Their Feet
The balance system is comprised of sensory receptors in the eyes, muscles, joints and inner ear. These sensors work together to maintain steadiness and balance. The new Balance Center uses a multidisciplinary program to diagnose and treat symptoms that impact balance. These symptoms can include chronic unsteadiness, vertigo, dizziness and impaired balance, which can lead to fatigue, loss of stamina, a decrease in social activity and a greater risk of falling.

"Losing your balance can be unnerving," says Long. "Our goal at the Balance Center is to treat patients in the most comprehensive manner possible and restore their confidence so they can get back to a daily routine."

The new Balance center offers state-of-the-art, non-invasive technology to evaluate balance concerns. Evaluation begins with Videonystagmography (VNG), a group of tests that monitor the inner ear and movement of the eyes. This test looks for signs of underlying neurological or vestibular disorder. Testing continues with Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP), which uses sensors and computer movement while the patient attempts to maintain balance under the various conditions. This test can determine if any component of the balance system is not functioning properly.

Don't Let the Fear of Falling Stop You – FREE Balance Center Screenings and Programs
RWJ Hamilton's Balance Center is sponsoring free "prevent falls" screenings throughout greater Mercer County this winter. Patients can be evaluated for balance difficulties on Tuesday, January 9 at the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness (CHW), 3100 Quakerbridge Road in Mercerville, New Jersey; Tuesday, February 13 at RWJ Hamilton at Ewing, 1440 Lower Ferry Road in Ewing, New Jersey; and Tuesday March 13 at the Outpatient Services Building on the campus of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton, NJ. Screenings on those dates are available between 1 to 3 p.m. and will be performed by a physical therapist. Screenings will be followed by recommendations for corrective interventions in presence of an individual and accompanying family members.

The Balance center will also hold a free introductory program called "Ever Feel Off Balance" on Thursday, February 15, 3 to 5 p.m. in Conference Room A of the CHW. The session will be lead by Lorraine Inducci, AuD, Doctor of Audiology. Those experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness or carry a sense of falling are invited to attend.

Advance registration is required for all screenings and programs through HealthConnection, (609) 584-5900.

The Balance Center is located in Rehabilitation Services Department at the CHW. To schedule an appointment please call (609) 584-6640.

More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.