Author: Karli Giles
Planning Unit: Jessamine County CES
Major Program: Keys to Embracing Aging
Plan of Work: Improving Health & Well Being
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Matter of Balance was presented at the Jessamine County Senior Center for eight weeks.The goal of Matter of Balance was for participants to recognize both their positive and negative beliefs they had about falling and how to navigate those beliefs to a fall prevention attitude. To achieve this goal, over the course of the eight weeks, participants discussed potential fall hazards in their home and environment. They learned exercises that focused on flexibility, strength, coordination, and balance. They learned how to be more assertive, how to build confidence, and to not be ashamed to share their story. It was noted, after the first few weeks, participants started to open up more about their concerns towards falling and by the end of the eight weeks, the class had turned in to a support group. Participants talked to each other about falling and even shared products they had bought to make their homes more accessible such as night lights. As the instructor, it was my goal for participants to understand that falling is not a normal part of aging and there could be multiple reasons a person may experience a fall. One participant shared with me that after the first few sessions of Matter of Balance, she built confidence to share with her physician that she had been experiencing falls. She is now receiving physical therapy. Another participant showed her Matter of Balance binder to her physician to show him the exercises she had been performing in the class. At the end of the eight weeks, 80% of participants said they felt very confident answering questions about falls and to lead the exercises they learned from the class. One participant said "Matter of Balance is one of the best programs we've ever had at the Senior Center. The program was highly informative, friendly, and a relaxed atmosphere."
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