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A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls
About the class
Many seniors experience fear of falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls emphasizes practical strategies to reduce this fear and increase activity levels.
Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable; set realistic goals to increase activity; change their environment to reduce fall risk factors; and exercise to increase strength and balance. See sample exercises.
A Matter of Balance includes eight two-hour sessions for a small group led by a trained facilitator. This program was developed at the Roybal Center at Boston University, and has been nationally recognized. Statewide facilitator training is offered by Partnership for Healthy Aging (PFHA). PFHA coordinates program offerings in the Greater Portland area.
What participants say
Maine participants demonstrated significant improvements after completing A Matter of Balance in their level of falls management, falls control, level of exercise and social limitations with regard to concern about falling. Here's what a few had to say:
"A Matter of Balance was most helpful - it made me more aware of what can be done to assure 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!"
"It has benefited all of us in that we feel stronger and in more control of our bodies. We would never have started this if it wasn't for taking "A Matter of Balance," so I believe it has changed some people's lives."
"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!"
Read a testimonial from a participant who took the Matter of Balance class.
Grant helps local organizations offer the program throughout Maine
Through a grant from the Administration on Aging, Partnership for Healthy Aging, Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Maine Medical Center's Geriatric Center, and the University of Southern Maine , have designed a program that translates A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls (MOB) into a volunteer lay leader program (MOB/VLL) that has proven to be as effective as the original program. The 8 session program uses cognitive restructuring to increase participants' awareness of fall risk factors, how to make informed choices, and introduces participants to exercises for balance and strength.
The current AoA demonstration has found significant improvements for participants regarding their level of Falls Efficacy, Falls Management, Falls Control, level of exercise, and social limitations with regard to concern about falling. This model has been disseminated and evaluated throughout the state of Maine, through a network of 14 Master Trainer sites. The collaborative has developed a structured toolkit and curriculum, and Master Trainer program for dissemination of MOB, which is being disseminated nationally.
Would your organization like to offer A Matter of Balance to your community?
Facilitator training sessions, known as Master Trainer Sessions, are offered by MaineHealth's Partnership for Healthy Aging (PFHA). The next Matter of Balance Lay Leader Model Master Trainer Session is scheduled as follows:
October 6 and 7, 2010
Portland, Maine
Registration Deadline: September 8, 2010
Download the Registration Form or NEW! Register Online
February 17 and 18, 2011
Oakland, California
Registration Deadline: January 14, 2011
Download the Registration Form (online registration not available for this session)
The registration fee is $1500 per person, which includes all training materials and breakfast and lunch for both days.
Partnership for Healthy Aging can also send a Lead Trainer team to your site to train a group of Master Trainers. The fees are based upon the size of the group as follows:
6 to 10 participants $12,500
11 to 15 participants $15,000
16 to 20 participants $17,500
Download the Master Trainer Session Fees Flyer
Training materials and the Lead Trainers' travel expenses, meals, and lodging will be charged at cost.
If you have questions please contact us at (207) 775-1095 or PFHA@mainehealth.org. Please include your name, organization and telephone number in your email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Program honored nationally
The Healthcare and Aging Network (HAN) of the American Society on Aging (ASA), in collaboration with Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, recently honored Southern Maine Agency on Aging, MaineHealth’s Partnership for Healthy Aging (PFHA), Maine Medical Center Division of Geriatrics, and the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work with an ASA Healthcare and Aging Network Award. The group was chosen as one of six recipients throughout the country that has demonstrated high-quality programs to enhance the quality of life for older adults. The collaborative was honored for translating A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls, a research-based program for fear of falling which originally used health care professionals as leaders, into a program led by community volunteers: A Matter of Balance - A Volunteer Lay Leader Model.
Contact Us
Partnership for Healthy Aging
465 Congress Street, Suite 701
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-1095
Fax: (207) 541-7540
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