Participants in the ‘A Matter of Balance’ class in 2023. Photo Courtesy LARSO
LARSO NEWS RELEASE
“Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent. Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 36,000 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group. In 2020, emergency departments recorded 3 million visits for older adult falls. Older adult falls cost $50 billion in medical costs annually, with 3/4 paid by Medicare and Medicaid. However, falls don’t have to be inevitable as you age. You can reduce your chance of falling or help a loved one prevent falls. There are proven ways to reduce and prevent falls, even for older adults.” (CDC)
Last year the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) trained four individuals to be Master A Matter of Balance Program Trainers – Kate Cleveland, Bernadette Lauritzen, Judy Lovejoy and Loretta Stubbs.
Starting Feb. 4, Judy Lovejoy and Loretta Stubbs will offer the third A Matter of Balance class for the Senior Activity Centers. The class will run Mondays and Fridays from 2-4pm, Feb. 5 through Mar. 4 at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center. Participants must be able to attend all eight classes.
Jacci Gruninger, Executive Director of LARSO states, “the statistics around falling are frightening and as someone with older parents, one who just recently fell, I am well aware of the impact falls have on older adults. The A Matter of Balance offered at the centers is evidence-based and the instructors do an excellent job teaching practical skills in fall prevention including exercises to improve strength and balance.”
A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity level of older adults who have this concern. The eight-session program meets bi-weekly, and instructors cover how to set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home and how to increase strength and balance, all with a larger goal of viewing falls as controllable. Each class meets for two hours.
Paula Hewitt, a graduate of the second MOB training says she uses her manual weekly for refreshers and to review the exercises. She shared, “the instructors were very knowledgeable and listened to what all participants had to say.. The class with the local physical therapist gave real life experience to what we had learned. I found the program helpful both physically but also socially.”
The program is recommended by the National Council on Aging and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Anyone 60+ who is a member of the Senior Activity Centers is welcome to attend. Not a member? It’s easy to join and is FREE. Call the Betty Ehart Center at (505) 662-8920 to reserve your spot and/or to become a member.