OLDER ADULTS FALLS PREVENTION CLASSES

A Matter of Balance

The New Lenox Safe Communities America Coalition in partnership with its member organizations, is offering (two) Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls classes as follows:

Classes for 2014 are:

Starting date:      May 13th (Tuesday) thru July 1st, 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the New Lenox Fire Protection District Station 1, 261 E. Maple Street, New Lenox

Starting date:       July 7th (Monday) thru August 25, 1:00pm to 3pm at the New Lenox Public Library, 120 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox.   

Are you interested in participating/attending A Matter of Balance?  The classes are FREE for people over 60 years of age.   Call Kathie Johnson at New Lenox Township (815) 485-6431 to sign up or for more information.                                                                                                        

Many older adults experience a fear of falling. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. This nationally recognized program was developed at the Roybal Center at Boston University.                                    

A Matter of Balance Classes are?

A Matter of Balance includes eight two-hour sessions.   Each of the eight sessions is two hours in length, including a break for light refreshments. Early sessions focus on changing attitudes and self-efficacy before attempting changes in actual behavior. The exercise component, which begins in the third session, takes about 30 minutes of the session to complete. 

Who Should Attend A Matter of Balance?    

The program was designed to benefit community-dwelling older adults who:       

     Are concerned about falls.

     Restrict activities because of concerns about falling?  

     Are interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength.

     Are age 60 or older, ambulatory and able to problem solve.                          

Who leads A Matter of Balance classes?

     A Matter of Balance is led by volunteer coaches who:

      Complete an eight hour training program.

      Coaches teach the class in pairs.  

What is the recommended class size for A Matter of Balance?  

     Most effective with class size no larger than 12 students. 

During the class, participants learn to:

     View falls as controllable

     Sets goals for increasing activity

     Make changes to reduce fall risk at home

     Exercise to increase strength and balance

Each of the eight sessions is two hours in length, including a break for light refreshments. Early sessions focus on changing attitudes and self-efficacy before attempting changes in actual behavior. The exercise component, which begins in the third session, takes about 30 minutes of the session to complete.

After completing A Matter of Balance:

97% of participants are more comfortable talking about fear of falling.  

97% feel comfortable in increasing their activity.

98% plan to continue exercising.

98% would recommend A Matter of Balance

Preliminary findings of the participant outcome evaluations indicate that there were significant improvements for:

Participants regarding their level of falls management.

The degree of confidence participants perceive concerning their ability to manage the risk of falls and of actual falls; falls control, the degree to which participants perceive their ability to prevent falls.

Level of exercise; and social limitations with regard to concern about falling.                 

These measures indicate that the program has been successful to date in reducing the fear of falling by increasing participants' confidence that they can manage falls risk better and actual falls if they occur and that they can take action to help reduce the risk of falling.

In addition, participants indicated that their concerns about falling are interfering less with their social activity and reported that they have increased their exercise levels.

What Participants Say About A Matter of Balance

After completing A Matter of Balance, Maine participants demonstrated significant improvements in their levels of falls management, falls control, exercise and social limitations with regard to concerns about falling.

Comments from class participants:

"A Matter of Balance was most helpful - it made me more aware of what can be done to ensure safety at home. The class provided a definite time each week to meet and discuss concerns with others. I wish we had even more exercise activities at each class. Great to share and learn!"

"I'm already noticing a difference in my physical being. I'm sure I'm a little more mobile than I had been and plan to continue these exercises. Hopefully, I'll be jumping over the moon - soon!"

"I'm picking up my feet more when I walk. I'm not trying to carry all my groceries at once into my home. I'm using a cane more when I walk on my lawn. I'm turning on more lights as I travel in my home."

"I feel better about being careful. My confidence has risen. And I am being more assertive and feel good about it, not intimidated."

Are you interested in participating/attending A Matter of Balance?  The classes are FREE for people over 60 years of age.   Call Kathie Johnson at New Lenox Township (815) 485-6431 to sign up or for more information.