News

By guest author Shane Breckel, Clinton County Community Action Program

For many older adults, the fear of falling can have a bigger impact on their life than a fall itself. The worry can be the start of an unhealthy cycle: reduced physical activity which leads to a loss of strength and balance, thus increasing the likelihood of a fall.

Recently, members at Clinton County’s Aging Up Community Center learned ways to break this cycle and take more control of their health with practical strategies and proven exercises to reduce their risk of falling. They participated in Matter of Balance, offered by Council on Aging.

Matter of Balance (MOB) is an evidence-based program designed for those age 60+ who have concerns about falling, may have fallen in the past, or limit activities because of fears of having a fall. The program combines group discussion and problem-solving with gentle physical exercise to address the physical, social and cognitive factors that contribute to the fear of falling.

“Before taking the classes, my biggest fear of falling was I wasn’t able to get myself back up without help,” said Artin Sahakian, an MOB participant. “While learning how to prevent falls is the goal of the workshop, it was also empowering to regain the strength and balance to help myself if I do fall.”

The workshop was led by two coaches – Master Trainer Christine Harris (COA), and Aging Up member, Judy Schnatz, who is also a registered nurse.

“I jumped at the opportunity to help my fellow Aging Up Center members,” said Schnatz. “During the workshop, I was delighted to watch the participants bond and support each other. Actually, teaching MOB decreased my OWN fall risk concerns,” said Schnatz.

By design, Matter of Balance classes are limited to twelve older adults to ensure all participants receive individual attention and feel comfortable discussing and sharing their personal experiences. The small class size appealed to Barbara Hodge, a long-time center member.

“I didn’t want to commit to a program if it was just lectures to a large group of people,” said Hodge. “I enjoyed the interaction and participation the classes encouraged, and I learned a lot from the experiences of my fellow classmates.”

By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of fall prevention, Matter of Balance provides a holistic approach that helps older adults remain active, independent and feel secure.

To learn more about the  Matter of Balance program and future offerings, including other Health and Wellness workshops offered by Council on Aging, visit Council on Aging’s website.

Shane Breckel is the Director of Senior Services for Clinton County Community Action Program. In operation for decades, the Clinton County Community Action Program, Inc., a local, private, non-profit corporation funded largely by grants obtained from Federal and State sources has helped hard working Americans improve their lives. This is accomplished with a variety of programs and services designed to produce jobs and help those in need. The agency is governed by a Board of Trustees. There are fifteen members on the board, and all of them are Clinton County residents.