A Matter of Balance, the award-winning program that helps older adults reduce their risk of falls, is now available in all 88 Ohio counties, just one year after the STEADY U Ohio initiative made statewide expansion a priority. At the time of the launch of STEADY U in September, 2013, “A Matter of Balance” was available in half the state. Over the past year, the Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Older Adult Falls Prevention Coalition have worked to secure community partners and grow the program’s infrastructure.
A Matter of Balance”We know that most older adults would prefer to continue living independently in their own communities for as long as possible, but falls are a major threat to that independence,” said Bonnie K. Burman, director of the Ohio Department of Aging. “A Matter of Balance works because it is both evidence-based and community-based. Those who complete the program report feeling more in control over factors that can cause them to fall.”
An older Ohioan falls every two minutes on average, resulting in an injury every five minutes, six emergency department visits and one hospitalization each hour, and three deaths each day. The number of fatal falls among older Ohioans increased more than 165 percent from 2000 to 2012. But falls are not a normal part of aging, and most falls can be prevented.
“One of the biggest risk factors for falls is a fear of falling. When you get past that fear and take control of your life again, your risk of falling goes down immediately,” added Director Burman.
A Matter of Balance focuses on practical coping strategies to reduce fear of falling and to diminish the risk of falling. The curriculum includes lectures, group discussions, mutual problem solving, role-play activities, exercise training, assertiveness training, and home assignments. Participants practice exercises to improve strength, coordination and balance, as well as learn how to conduct a home safety evaluation and get up and down safely.
Classes are led by coaches who are recruited and trained by master trainers. Earlier this year, the Ohio Department of Aging partnered with MaineHealth’s Partnership for Healthy Aging to coordinate a master trainer train-the-trainer session to help expand the program into unserved and underserved areas.
Learn more about “A Matter of Balance” at www.steadyu.ohio.gov.
About Marion Online News
