Tuesdays at the J

Tuesdays at the J is a group for individuals and couples ages 55-plus who meet weekly to enjoy presentations on a variety of topics. All sessions are free and no membership is required.

10-10:30 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation with program coordinator Adrian Bendick
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Presentation

The program will be held at the East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Drive, Chandler. The program is designed for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19; masks are optional.

Registration is required to attend.

Oct. 25: Neuropathy and Fall Prevention

Presented by Dixie Kozak, RN, BSN, CDP, director of nursing at Sunland Home Care & Medical

While there are over 100 types of neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common.  With a prevalence of up to 30% in the senior population, neuropathy is a topic that warrants discussion and efforts to find solutions and provide safety.  Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) may lead to muscle weakness, loss of ankle reflexes, and impairment in balance, coordination and gait control. which significantly increases the risk of falling and sustaining fall-related injuries. In this discussion we will explore neuropathy, diagnosis, treatments and methods that may be helpful in preventing fall.

The presentation will be followed by an optional fall assessment. 

About the speaker

Dixie was born and raised in Wyoming. After studying business and selling real estate for a time she decided to attend college for nursing. She attended Arizona State University graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing in 1997. She started out her nursing career working in labor and delivery. After almost a year she decided that was not her calling and accepted a position at Carl T Hayden VAMC working in geriatrics. She loved working with veterans and seniors. Due to an allergy to latex, she was forced to leave that system eventually finding work in the home health care arena. She has worked home health for 18 years prior to becoming director of nursing for Sunland Home Care and Medical.  She has expertise in the Medicare Home Health arena.  Honoring people’s right to self determination has led her to move into the Private Duty arena. Dixie has a passion for serving seniors and educating the people who care for them whether it be a family member or caregiver. Dixie has spent her career working with a broad variety of chronic medical conditions. She enjoys sharing what she has learned and feels honored to have the opportunity to help people in a capacity to some way improve their quality of life.  In her current role she spends much of her time educating nurses, caregivers and community members.